Il Milanista has recently stated that West Ham United are showing interest in Olympique Marseille full-back Jordan Amavi. However, it has been reported that the Hammers could face competition in the form of AC Milan and Napoli in the race to land the French talent this summer when he is set to become a free agent (via Il Milanista).
Amavi’s Injury-Plagued Season In French Football
Amavi has endured an injury-ravaged season at the Orange Vélodrome but has done well to put in some impressive displays on the left side of the Marseille backline. The French defensive ace has been involved in 16 matches for Jorge Sampaoli’s side this term, scoring one goal and picking up five yellow cards across all fronts.
The 27-year-old has caught the eye by averaging 1.2 tackles, 2.3 interceptions, 2.0 clearances, 0.6 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per game in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League this season. He has even distributed the ball relatively well after making 78.1% of his attempted passes in both those competitions (stats via whoscored).
If Amavi can prove his fitness by staying injury-free next season, he has what it takes to be a top talent for most top-flight sides in Europe, including the Hammers. However, the Frenchman struggled to give a good account of himself during his time at Aston Villa, so there are some concerns over whether he is good enough to be a success story in English football.
What Are The French Full-Back’s Best Attributes?
Amavi has decent pace under his belt and can make a few encouraging runs with the ball down the left-wing. He has also got the vision to create some inviting chances for his teammates in the attacking third. The French left-back is a solid defender at the back as he is usually quick to react to the danger and can pull off some crucial interceptions for his side on the defensive end of the field. He is also not shy of clearing his lines when in danger of being exposed inside his half.
Is Amavi The Right Fit For West Ham This Summer?
If Amavi can stay healthy and gain some confidence, he will be a good fit for David Moyes’ team. He could serve as an upgrade over Ryan Fredericks and is good enough to rival Vladimir Coufal for a regular starting spot at the London Stadium in the coming seasons.
As far as Amavi is concerned, he needs regular playing minutes to improve himself and succeed at the highest level. However, Moyes does not have the luxury of guaranteeing him a first-team place at East London, which is why he would be better off staying put at Marseille beyond this summer.
