West Ham United are struggling to keep hold of Spaniard Pedro Obiang who is close to a return to Sampdoria in the aftermath of a £10m bid accepted by the Stratford-based outfit. Although he is viewed as a key resource of Pellegrini’s project in East London, the 26-year-old midfield general is quite unlikely to turn down a return to his boyhood side.
The East London club have been one of the highest spenders so far in this window under new boss Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City boss who guided them to Premier League glory four years back. The Hammers saw a massive uplift under Slaven Bilic a couple of seasons back but finished in the lower half of the league table on back to back occasions thereafter.
However, their efforts of emerging as a London heavyweight reflects in the aggressiveness shown in the summer market and roping in the likes of Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko, Felipe Anderson, Issa Diop, Lukasz Fabianski, Ryan Fredericks and Fabian Balbeuna should make them competent enough to contest for a place in Europe.
The gaffer, therefore, is likely to dive into the market for an alternative and there are players available who are rational and should be convinced to join the Hammers before the 9th August’s transfer deadline.
Olivier Ntcham
Age: 22
Current Club: Celtic
Country: France
West Ham have reportedly inquired about the availability of the France youth international who has become one of the crucial first-team stars of Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic since completing a £4.5m summer switch from Manchester City last year. Having failed to break into a star-studded City squad, the player accepted the challenge of joining the Scottish supergiants after spending a couple of years on loan at Genoa and settled in quickly to deliver some majestic performances in the Hoops midfield. He has started the new season from where he left off the previous term and the Hammers should test Rodgers’ resolve with an enticing bid for his key midfield resource.
Vladimir Darida
Age: 27
Current Club: Hertha BSC
Country: Czech Republic
The Bundesliga veteran has been one of the most consistent performers for both club and country and should be convinced to join a new-look West Ham side that will have former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere as a midfield pivot alongside club skipper Mark Noble. The inclusion of Darida will not only add depth to the centre of the pitch but also introduce quality as well as versatility for his energy, movement, vision and ability to dictate the show from behind. He still has a few years left in his current deal to run out in Berlin but a persuasion might convince him to join a more ambitious project in East London.
Read More: West Ham United Interested In 22 Y/O Celtic Star: Rodgers Must Block The Move!
Joao Mario
Age: 25
Current Club: Inter Milan
Country: Portugal
The highly-rated Portuguese midfielder had a short-term loan stint with the Hammers last season and was settling in really well towards the end of the season despite a difficult start. He should be handed a role slightly deeper than usual to utilize his ability to create space by dragging opponents as well as relentless movements if a permanent move can be struck with his current side Inter Milan of Italy.
