West Ham to battle Spurs for top defender
In another case of recycled transfer targets, West Ham is in pursuit of Guillermo Maripán, according to AS. The Chilean defender was a target of the club last summer and the Hammers are set to battle Spurs for his signature.
West Ham could be in the market for a new centre-back in the upcoming transfer window. Current Hammer Winston Reid has not played for the club consistently in about two years and is now out on loan. Angelo Ogbonna is now the wrong side of thirty and despite an impressive season won’t be at the top for much longer.
The younger Hammer’s defenders Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena are also facing questionable futures at the club. Balbuena has faced a fall from grace since his return from the Copa America and Issa Diop is being linked with moves away from the club.
There is plenty of reason to expect West Ham to return for Maripán, the 26-year-old has been watching him since Manuel Pellegrini’s term in charge. the Chilean could prove to be a good buy too as he has had a stellar season in Ligue 1.
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Maripán has played his part in Monaco’s solid defence this season, helping the Les Monégasques keep six clean sheets in twenty matches. The former Deportivo Alavés defender is a tough man at the back, hard in the tackle and strong in the air.
Not only is the Chilean defender solid at the back, but he is also able to contribute at the other end of the pitch. Maripán has scored two goals for Monaco this season putting him equal with Ogbonaa and one behind Diop.
West Ham will have the opportunity to acquire Maripán for a fair fee because of the Coronavirus pandemic’s effects on clubs finances. According to HITC.com, Monaco was hoping to grow Maripán and sell the defender for almost €50 million in 2021, but because of the pandemic, they could bee forced to sell him for much less.
The Hammers could get Maripán for around £22-£27 million, which would make him the most expensive defender in the club’s history. Spurs have been linked to Maripán too, but Jose Mourinho’s first choice would be Issa Diop. If the Frenchmen goes to Tottenham it could start a domino effect in the market.
dark. Next. West Ham must focus on pace this transfer window
Maripán could prove to be a good replacement for Diop, especially as he would cost half the sale price of Diop. This would mean that there could be more to add to West Ham transfer chest.