According to a recent report by Tuttomercatoweb, West Ham United are eyeing a move to acquire the signature of full-back Ignazio Abate. However, the same source has also claimed that the Hammers will face stiff competition from Getafe in pursuit of the Italian free agent.
Abate’s Impressive Career In Italian Football
The 33-year-old has a wealth of experience in Italian football having played for clubs such as AC Milan, FC Empoli and Torino during his career. The defender has made a total of 292 appearances in the Serie A, scoring five goals while providing 23 assists in all competitions.
In his last spell at the San Siro, Abate had averaged 1.8 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.2 clearances per game in the Italian first division (stats via whoscored). There is no denying that the Italian full-back can still do a decent job down the right flank using his high football IQ and experience.
Abate has also earned 22 senior caps for the Italian national side and has scored one goal in the process. He is primarily a right-back but can also play in a more advanced role on the right.
What Will The Italian Veteran Bring To The London Stadium?
Abate has decent pace and is a very useful dribbler with the ball down the right flank. He is a capable defender inside his own half and can link up play well with others around him. The Italian talent offers similar traits to what Pablo Zabaleta brings to the West Ham first-team.
Why Signing Abate Could Be A Good Deal For The Hammers?
Therefore, it makes a lot of sense for David Moyes to take an interest in recruiting Abate for free in the coming months. The Hammers need to strengthen their defensive options if they are to compete with the Premier League’s big boys next season.
The addition of Abate will not only bolster Moyes’ defensive options significantly at the London Stadium, but he will also act as a short-term replacement for Zabaleta, who is in the last legs of his West Ham career.
