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Double deal with Celta Vigo shows West Ham’s intent

By Adam Smith

BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 22: Stanislav Lobotka of Celta Vigo is under pressure by Lionel Messi of Barcelona during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on December 22, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 22: Stanislav Lobotka of Celta Vigo is under pressure by Lionel Messi of Barcelona during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou on December 22, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) /
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West Ham have renewed their interest in Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez after initially backing down amidst Champions League clubs snooping around. The rumor suggests a massive double transfer is in the work with Stanislav Lobotka also being targetted by the Irons.

Here’s why this double deal would be a massive move for West Ham:

Maxi Gomez

What more can we say about this player? West Ham fans have been talking up the idea of Gomez joining the Hammers since Marko Arnautovic demanded a move away from the club in January. Arnie stayed and so too did Gomez with Vigo. It was a good move for the Spanish side who needed their star front man to keep them afloat in La Liga after a more-than-rocky start to their season.

With the season over and the initial window to sign Gomez passed, West Ham faced immediate pressure from Arsenal and Spurs from the Premier League to persuade Gomez to come to London. The interest in him was appropriately garnered, however, after such a strong season.

His season ended with 36 games played and 13 goals scored. As well, he chipped in on five more goals with assists. This goal total was good enough to leave Gomez tied for tenth in goals scored in La Liga last season alongside Inaki Williams.

He’s young (22 years old), he knows how to score, and he is Manuel Pellegrini’s number 1 transfer target this summer. With immediate interest cooling off from opposition, West Ham need to make good on getting another massive weapon added to their attack.

Next. West Ham need to cash in on Manuel Lanzini. dark

Stanislav Lobotka

The newest name to be added to the transfer saga between West Ham and Celta Vigo is defensive midfielder Stanislav Lobotka. The Slovakian player addresses the second biggest squad need in the midfield and would give Declan Rice a battery mate to help defend the backline with.

The need for a defensive midfielder is evidently apparent with the links West Ham have across European football. Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Andre Gomes, and now Stanislav Lobotka. Whether it’s to play alongside Rice or eventually replace him if he’s sold, the desire to have more defensively minded players is evident.

Like Gomez, Lobotka checks a lot of boxes. He is just 24 years old and would mature and grow within the team. He had just one assist last season, but his role isn’t expected to generate much of any offense.

Together Gomez and Lobotka make West Ham a much stronger team now and moving forward. The deal would immediately change their trajectory and would likely propel the Hammers up the table next season, at least on paper. The intent shown with completing this transfer would also suggest Gold and Sullivan are giving Pellegrini and Husillos the financial backing they need to turn West Ham into a winning team.

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