According to the latest reports from Germany, West Ham United are looking into a permanent deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa in the summer. Everton also possesses a rival interest in the Japanese international’s signature and are set to go head-to-head with David Moyes’ rebuilding process for the 2018/19 season.
Kagawa is one of the more established names in the Bundesliga and in the Borussia Dortmund squad. 8 years back, he was one of the best midfielders in Europe and was highly regarded by fans and pundits all over the world. After spending an illustrious period with the German outfit he got summoned by Alex Ferguson himself to Manchester, England.
However, the attacking midfield could not break into the Red Devils first team squad and after just 2 seasons in England made his way back to Westfalenstadion. It looked like the scars of Old Trafford might just have derailed the 29-year-old’s career in the early stages of his return.
But Kagawa has answered all his critics with a significantly improved 2017/18 season. He has reinvented himself under the management of Peter Stoger and has racked up 6 goals and 7 assists in 26 appearances this season.
His career resume contains one Premier League title, one DFB Pokal Cup and 2 Bundesliga titles.
The player looks to be much better than the troubled and injury-stricken Mario Gotze, who went through equally challenging times after leaving Dortmund. The German international who scored the only goal for his country in the 1-0 2014 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina took a short break from professional footballer due to muscle injuries. He is slowly recovering to full season fitness but a consistent bout of injury worries take the flair out of a player and Gotze is guilty of exactly that.
Kagawa has played almost every minute in the league and will have a major role in rebuilding the BVB back to its former glory. The club seems to be in shambles ever since Thomas Tuchel left the club after the 2016/17 season. They just got demolished by Bayern Munich by 6 goals at the Allianz Arena earlier in March and is fighting for their place in the top-four.
Their league rivals looked way too comfortable as the Dortmund players were left desperately scrambling for the ball.
West Ham United are undergoing an even more troubling period in the Premier League. Their own fans have turned against them after witnessing a season diseased with relegation concerns. Kagawa can be a major boost in changing the minds of the Hammers faithful but might be too ambitious a move at the moment.
