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West Ham’s Plan B: Who is Moussa Marega?

By Jay Korman

PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 28: Moussa Marega of FC Porto reacts during the Group D match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Porto and FC Schalke 04 at Estadio do Dragao on November 28, 2018 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 28: Moussa Marega of FC Porto reacts during the Group D match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Porto and FC Schalke 04 at Estadio do Dragao on November 28, 2018 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images) /
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The dreams and hopes of West Ham fans seem to be slowly drifting away after it seems Maxi Gomez has his heart set on joining Valencia. Never say never in the transfer window, however, it seems Pellegrini has identified another striker target: Moussa Marega from FC Porto.

Throughout the summer transfer window, West Ham United have their eyes on Maxi Gomez. The 22-year old Uruguayan has been brilliant the past 2 seasons in La Liga and had been Pellegrini’s and Husillos’s top target this summer.

However, over the past couple weeks, this plan seems to be deteriorating by the second as rumors emerge that Gomez would prefer a stay in Spain, and wants to join Valencia. It is not all doom and gloom for West Ham, however, as recent reports suggest another striker could be on his way to the London Stadium very soon.

The striker that Pellegrini and Husillos have apparently identified as a backup plan to Maxi is FC Porto’s big man Moussa Marega. Marega has been a goal machine in Liga Nos the past couple of seasons and has performed well when the lights were the brightest, scoring 6 goals and 3 assists in 9 Champions League appearances for the Portuguese giants.

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Marega relies on pace and power to score his goals and could use those strengths to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League. Plus, it could never be a bad thing to bring in a player who has Champions League experience. This may sound all well and good, but there are definitely a few flaws about this potential move for the Irons.

For starters, Marega is already 28 and will turn 29 by the end of the upcoming Premier League campaign. Maxi Gomez turns 23 in August, so he would be one for the future, whereas Marega has already hit his prime.

The second snag in the road could be the Malian’s price tag. Recent reports suggest Porto are looking for €35m for the striker, and although West Ham seem willing to pay it, it certainly is a steep price for a player of Marega’s age.

I think the prospect of West Ham bringing in another striker this window is pretty much a guarantee. Pellegrini seems to want to pair up a big money man with Arnautovic up top.

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Although most West Ham fans would love that man to be Maxi Gomez, Moussa Marega is certainly not a bad consolation prize. I think the Porto striker’s style of play could suit the Premier League play-style. We’ll certainly keep an eye on this transfer as we wait and see what Pellegrini and Husillos have up their sleeves.

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