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Rav van den Berg could be making a swift return to the Championship this winter

West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a transfer move for former Middlesbrough defender, Rav van den Berg, who is currently on the fringes of the starting lineup of Bundesliga outfit, FC Koln.

That is according to German publication, Express, with it being over a year since the Dutch defender returned to mainland Europe after his spell at the Riverside Stadium, with the Teesside outfit managed by former West Ham academy graduate, Michael Carrick, at the time.

The Hammers have been pinpointed as the side most likely to win the Championship by many outsiders this season after their first relegation from the Premier League in 14 years.

Having finally reached the second tier summit for the first time this season with a 6-0 rout over Wrexham, the East London side were knocked off top spot heading into the current three-week international break following the 2-2 draw at Millwall in the Dockers' derby.

The newly-relegated outfit made eight transfers throughout the summer window, and even though it only slammed shut four weeks ago, West Ham are already eyeing what could be their first move when business is allowed again on New Year's Day.

West Ham eye transfer move for ex-Middlesbrough ace amid Bundesliga struggles

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Van den Berg, 22, was signed by Koln last summer after their return to the Bundesliga in May 2025, with Middlesbrough able to agree a package of up to £11.2m, for the Dutchman.

Since then, the once highly-rated defender has struggled for form and gametime at the RheinEnergie Stadion, with his last appearance coming against Eintracht Frankfurt on April 5th.

It was recently claimed by BILD that Koln sporting director, Thomas Kessler and head coach, Rene Wagner, had held discussions with the Zwolle-born man over the need to up his performance levels after making just 14 appearances last season.

However, van den Berg is yet to play a minute in the Bundesliga this season despite the fact his current employers have shipped nine goals in three games.

Express have since reported that West Ham held an interest in his services this summer as they looked to add defensive depth, and that they may return with a concrete offer in the winter.

West Ham could face major Rav van den Berg stumbling block

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The 11-time Dutch Under-21s international made a significant impression during his last spell in the Championship after Middlesbrough parted with just £260,000 for his services from PEC Zwolle three years ago.

Van Den Berg won Middlesbrough's Young Player of the Season and Player of the Season awards for 2023/24 even though the club missed out on a place in the play-offs, although the following campaign was one of frustration for the defender on an individual scale due to injury issues.

However, it has emerged that West Ham could still face a stumbling block, which is that the centre-back still holds a desire to move to the Premier League, with his brother, Sepp, currently turning out for Brentford.

West Ham would hope Rav van den Berg replicates Middlesbrough form if he moved to London Stadium

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West Ham have been forced into a defensive reshuffle of their own in recent games, with Morato moving to left-back in recent games after being loaned in from Nottingham Forest, whilst the only centre-back alternative on the bench against Millwall was 18-year-old Airidas Golambeckis.

Whilst the club's academy is famed for producing numerous stars over the years, more experience will be required, and even at a slightly older age, van den Berg is well-equipped to take on the challenges of the Championship, having made 61 appearances for Middlesbrough in his two-year spell.