According to Italian news outlet, Bergamo Corriere Della Sera, West Ham United have received an offer from Atalanta for the services of Pedro Obiang. The Serie A side have reportedly tabled a loan offer worth €1m (£890,000) with an option to buy the midfielder at €9m (£8m). Manuel Pellegrini, who has surpassed the £90m mark through this summer window alone, will now have to strongly consider selling a few of the club’s assets.
With Jack Wilshere brought in on a free transfer and the club pursuing a deal for Joao Mario, the Chilean boss might be willing to let go of Obiang. The 26-year-old made his way over to East London in the summer of 2015 and ever since has racked up 87 appearances for the Hammers.
Obiang also has 7 caps for Spain at various youth levels. He is well accustomed to the Serie A, having started his professional career with Sampdoria. He has over 100 appearances registered with the side and 4 goals and 10 assists to go along with it.
Standing at 6 feet 1, he is one of the most athletic players in the Hammers ranks but might not be of the same stature as some of his teammates. Pellegrini should definitely take the chance of recouping £9m, while the 26-year-old’s value is still high.
Obiang featured in 27 games last season but struggled to really meet expectations, going down to a knee injury late into the campaign. His primary position is that of a defensive midfielder, given his strengths are winning back possession through interceptions and well-timed tackles.
However, what the Spaniard lacks is technical abilities and the general sense of being effective on the offensive end of the pitch. Pellegrini, who implements a high possession style of gameplay, might not have much use for Obiang in the upcoming season.
The new head coach previously registered the Premier League title with Manchester City and is now ready to take the Hammers to unforeseen heights. Their midfield has become stronger with the addition of Andriy Yarmolenko, Felipe Anderson and Wilshere.
Mark Noble and Manuel Lanzini are consistent performers who will finally have like-minded players next to them to really get the team’s attack going. Moreover, West Ham have enough cover in Cheikhou Kouyate, Edimilson Fernandes and Josh Cullen.
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If last season’s loan signing Joao Mario makes his way over to the London Stadium permanently, United are pretty much set up for a highly promising 2018/19 season and can let go of Obiang as he will be more of a sporadic option for Pellegrini.
