West Ham United set to make an approach for Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen | OneFootball

West Ham United are set to make an approach for Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, with the Foxes bracing themselves for an official move from the Hammers, according to journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs.

Leicester valued the Dane at £35 million last summer and West Ham may need to offer something similar to that to have a chance of bringing the ‘spectacular’ 25-year-old to the London Stadium club.

The Foxes are already preparing for life without Hermansen, who is also admired by Manchester United, as they plot an immediate return to the Premier League following relegation, and they have held talks with Asmir Begovic.

Hammers manager Graham Potter has been focusing on strengthening his backline in recent months, and the Leicester star fits the bill.

He made 103 saves in 27 Premier League appearances last term, pulling off some eye-catching saves all season and consistently showing his talent and agility several times.

Hermansen particularly caught the eye of suitors following a man-of-the-match worthy performance in a 4-2 loss to Arsenal last September, making five world-class saves.

It was widely regarded as one of the best performances from a goalkeeper last season, and he has what it takes to give Alphonse Areola a run for his money.

West Ham parted with Polish goalie Lukasz Fabianski after seven seasons at the end of last term, and while they also made a key change by appointing Linus Kandolin as first-team goalkeeper coach, it is believed a new option in between the sticks could be brought in despite having Wes Foderingham and Krisztian Hegyi to provide cover for Areola.

Hermansen could be the one, and his reflexes, shot-stopping, saving penalties and saving from close range are abilities which make him a potential upgrade on the current goalkeeping options at West Ham.

A groin injury kept him out for a while last season, and while he struggled to reach the incredible form he showed earlier in the campaign upon his return, with his save rate dropping down to 49% from the 69% he boasted before his six-week lay-off, he has now had surgery to get himself fit for next season.