It appears that West Ham and Monaco are currently in the final stages of completing a deal that would see Thilo Kehrer depart the club on an initial loan stint, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer expert revealed via Twitter on 2 January that the German defender is expected to make the move to Ligue 1, joining Monaco in a deal that entails a €500,000 loan fee [£434,000], accompanied by potential permanent transfer clauses contingent on meeting specific performance targets.
The 27-year-old appears to have fallen out of favor under David Moyes, signaling an imminent departure from the club, pending the resolution of a few outstanding details to formalize the agreement.
Romano’s tweet stated: “AS Monaco and West Ham are finalizing a deal for Thilo Kehrer. It will be a loan deal with mandatory buyout options contingent upon specific targets. AS Monaco will pay a €500k loan fee. There are still details to clarify to finalize the deal soon.”
Kehrer’s role at West Ham has notably diminished, evident in his limited four appearances in the Premier League this season, a stark contrast to his 27 appearances last term. The upcoming move suggests an imminent departure, and a potential permanent farewell from France could be expected by summer.
Should Kehrer’s tenure at West Ham draw to a close, it would mark the end of a 50-appearance journey across various competitions during his one-and-a-half-year tenure in East London. Initially recruited amidst a defensive injury crisis, his adaptable skill set has been an asset to Moyes, yet the lack of a fixed role may have impeded his progression within the team.
Given the limited opportunities outside of cup competitions, Kehrer’s interest in seeking increased game time elsewhere is understandable, particularly with the prospect of continental interest. Consequently, the potential departure may prompt Moyes and his team to seek a replacement in the coming weeks. This development could signal an eventful January window for the club, as decisions about the squad’s composition emerge.