According to reports, West Ham United are eyeing a last-ditch move for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes as the Hammers look for an emergency alternative after they missed out on William Carvalho failing to meet Sporting Lisbon’s asking price. However, as audacious as this approach seems, Gomes could well want a move away from the Nou Camp after a quiet debut season.
West Ham are in dire need of a midfielder at the moment and all the three league defeats in August have exposed their vulnerability to control the game from the middle of the park. In the likes of Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang, Cheikhou Kouyaté and Edimilson Fernandes, the Irons have one of the weakest midfield in the league.
Although Slaven Bilic has brought in the young Sead Haksabanovic this summer, he has got just one chance in the EFL Cup, giving enough indication that he has a long way to go before becoming a regular in the starting eleven. West Ham have done much better transfer business this season getting in the likes of Javier Hernandez, Marko Arnautovic, Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart, but their start to the season has been nothing different.
The club had to come out amidst massive fan outrage after West Ham’s last defeat against newly promoted side Newcastle United to express support for the Croatian manager. Bilic knows that the initial few weeks succeeding the international break would be defining for his managerial career and he is going all out to get the players he thinks could save him his job.
Despite buying him only last summer, the Catalans are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the Portuguese midfielder. New manager Ernesto Valverde has made it clear that the player doesn’t fit in his plans ahead and if given the right offer, would be happy to let him go.
According to reports, West Ham face stiff competition from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur as both are keen on getting him on loan, which involves a hefty fee and an expensive wage packet. Serie A defending champions, Juventus, are also interested him but Gomes would hardly find a starting place in Turin.
Prior to his switch to Barcelona, Gomes was touted as one of the best midfielders in Europe and his talent remains undeniable. Under Luis Enrique, the 24-year-old could make only 17 starts in La Liga last season. However, with 25 international appearances, 93 La Liga appearances and 16 Champions League appearances, Gomes is an established player and will bring discipline to any club he joins.
