According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, West Ham United are prepared to offer Pedro Obiang a new contract extension amid speculation linking him to a move to Sampdoria. The Serie A outfit have been keen on re-signing the Spaniard but as it appears, the Hammers have remained persistent on clutching on to their star midfielder and thereof, handing him a new contract within the coming days.
After initially arriving in London in a £5.40m move from Sampdoria back in 2015, Obiang has emerged as a key player for West Ham United. Last season, he was one of the more prominent figures in the starting eleven before being sidelined due to an injury, which coincided with West Ham’s significant dip in form.
That being said, the newly appointed Manuel Pellegrini is understood to have identified Obiang as a vital player in his squadron. As a result, he is adamant on keeping hold of the 26-year-old midfielder as he seeks to usher in a new era at West Ham next season.
Indeed! The Spanish midfielder will be of paramount importance in the forthcoming season given West Ham’s weaknesses in the midfield department. The Hammers have struggled due to the lack of form of reliable midfielders such as Mark Noble and Chiekhou Kouyate, as they recede into further mediocrity.
Even though they have already brought in Jack Wilshere from Arsenal earlier this summer, the England international has also struggled with his fair share of injuries. Thus, the onus will be on Obiang to provide the stability in the centre of the pitch, should the likes of Noble and Kouyate fail to perform.
Blessed with incredible stamina, Obiang will look to use his work ethic and physical prowess to impose himself against the face of the opposing midfield. Standing at 6 ft 2 inches, the 26-year-old is an intimidating presence in the middle of the pitch, who is also quite proactive and thus, perfectly suited to the physicality of the Premier League.
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Obiang will most likely feature at the base of Pellegrini’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. He will be partnered by a more composed Mark Noble with Jack Wilshere being deployed further upfront. Alternatively, he can also operate as the lone defensive midfielder in a 4-1-4-1, which will enable West Ham to have numerical superiority in the final third.
It remains to be seen if the former Sampdoria midfielder manages to replicate last season’s performances but he is definitely an asset to have in the squad for Pellegrini.
