According to the Guardian’s Sports deputy news editor Ad Aarons on Twitter (tweet – below) Premier League strugglers West Ham are interested in Leeds United defender Pontus Jansson.
West Ham are interested in signing Sweden defender Pontus Jansson from Leeds in the summer
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) April 10, 2018
West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League on 34 points from their 32 games and are just six points away from the last of the relegation places currently held by Southampton on 28 points. Defensively the Hammers have been pretty abject this season, and will no doubt see Pontus Jansson as something of an upgrade over what they already have at their disposal.
Jansson is a seasoned Swedish international and indeed captained the side in their last friendly game against Romania. His strength at the back, coupled with his international pedigree, would be something that most sides would want to invest in if they find themselves at the wrong end of the table.
Jansson came to Elland Road in August 2016, via an initial loan deal from Serie A side Torino. Some claim the Italian side reneged on a contract offer as the Swede recovered from injury. He arrived as Leeds hovered precariously above the Sky Bet Championship, yet soon forged a solid understanding with fellow loanee Kyle Bartley.
Such was his influence on the Leeds United that season that he won a place in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season. That level of performance has dropped somewhat, following the trajectory that the Whites themselves have taken.
However, class is permanent and Pontus Jansson possesses enough of that to convince a side such as West Ham to take a glance at him. Whether it remains at a glance or turns to a longer look remains to be seen.
