It has been reported that Connor Goldson has been lined up by West Ham, with a view to making a Summer bid for the central defender.
The ex-Brighton man is said to be on manager David Moyes radar – with the Hammers enjoying an excellent season so far in the Premier League.
According to a Football Insider report:
“West Ham are keeping tabs on Rangers defender Connor Goldson ahead of the summer window, Football Insider has learned.”
“The centre-back, 28, enters the final 12 months of his contract in the summer and talks over an extension have been delayed.”
“A West Ham source has told Football Insider that Goldson is on their radar again as they assess potential central defenders.”
“David Moyes is set to be in the market for at least one, and potentially two, senior players in that position this summer.”
“Goldson was also on West Ham’s radar last year, when he was valued by Rangers at around the £6million mark.”
“He has also attracted interest in the past from the likes of Leeds United, Fulham and West Brom.”
That £6 million tag for a player who has been a mainstay of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers tenure seems wide of the mark.
More recently, The Athletic featured a report with 21st Club, ‘a consultancy firm used by clubs to plan sustainable success through their insights and statistical models.’
They provided a more realistic valuation on Goldson, who has made an incredible 42 appearances this season, across all competitions.
The evaluation from 21st club included:
“The one valuation that stands out as perhaps the most surprising is Goldson – £16m plus.”
“Dougie Wright, who has worked as an analyst and data scout at Livingston and Wigan Athletic, believes that is due to Scottish-based players being undervalued.”
“He points to Adam Webster’s £20 million move to Brighton last season as a fair benchmark given Webster — albeit two years younger — only had English Championship experience while Goldson has played more than 30 times in the Europa League.”
“If, say, West Brom came in for him — a guy who has literally played every minute for three years and is the backbone of a team going for a huge milestone title and Champions League money — you would think it would be well above £10 million before they consider selling a key part of their team.”