West Ham will have stiff competition if they want Gregorie Defrel
By Adam Smith
West Ham have been linked with French striker Gregorie Defrel, currently playing in Italy’s Serie A. The competition will be tough to get his signature amongst other Premier League teams showing interest for the firing forward.
It’s not an area of massive concern for Manuel Pellegrini’s team right now, but for the long-term plan of the Chilean architect to come to fruition creative strikers will be of utmost importance. Gregorie Defrel is one of these types of players. Currently on loan at Sampdoria from Roma, Defrel has looked solid for his new team halfway through the season and is linked with a move to West Ham.
Not having to switch leagues has allowed Defrel to settle in quickly at Sampdoria. The striker has scored 7 goals in 20 matches, getting off to a hot start this season netting four of those goals in his first three matches.
His solid conversion rate of roughly a goal in every three games has seen him attract interest from West Ham as well as Watford, who are moving out forward Okaka, and Fulham who are seeking a source for goals as they desperately try to survive the Premier League.
Related Story. West Ham should cash in on Jordan Hugill’s success at Middlesbrough. light
Defrel started the first ten matches of the Serie A season for Sampdoria and both Coppa Italia matches but has since come off the bench in six of his last ten matches. With his usage dropping in recent action, there could be the desire to move on and pursue first-team football elsewhere.
West Ham would need a few dominoes to fall in order to make this move happen after spending large in the summer transfer window. It appears that Gary Medel is close to joining as a CM/RB option on a permanent transfer which will tie up a good chunk of the transfer budget. With Transfermarkt.co.uk quoting Defrel’s value at £10.8 million, player sales would need to happen in order to make the finances work.
Next. Swapping Carroll for Shelvey…I hate that I like this deal. dark
Reece Oxford seems likely to go, Jordan Hugill is a possibility, Pedro Obiang could be shipped out to Defrel’s Sampdoria, and Andy Carroll’s name has come up in a swap deal with Newcastle for Jonjo Shelvey creating a squad spot for him along with money to buy him. The blueprint is there to facilitate this deal, but with so many moving pieces it could be difficult to get over the line. The 27-year-old would be welcomed at West Ham and could provide instant chemistry with Serie A convert Felipe Anderson and Frenchman Samir Nasri.