West Ham’s Interest in Barcelona Right-Back grows
West Ham appears to be on the hunt for a new right-back after fears of losing rising star Jeremy Ngakia have risen. The Hammers have identified Barcelona right-back Moussa Wague as the ideal replacement.
West Ham ideally would prefer to sort out Ngakia’s contract situation, rather than sign a brand-new player. Ngakia is yet to sign a contract extension, and with his current deal set to expire at the end of July, the Hammers need to have a replacement lined up.
The Hammers have been linked with many right-backs in the last few months from Matty Cash, Gonzalo Montiel and now Moussa Wague of Barca. Wague has been on loan at Nice since January, but due to the current financial climate have decided not to activate his purchase clause.
West Ham could now pounce for the 21-year-old who does not seem to have a future at Barcelona but could become a key player at the London Stadium. Wague found minutes hard to come by at the Nou Camp but impressed in his short time in France.
The Senegalese international played five times in Ligue 1, assisting two goals and averaging an impressive 80% pass accuracy. The full-back isn’t all attack however, Wague averages 1.5 tackles per ninety minutes, meaning he is able to stand his ground against attackers.
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Wague is built for distance and has a mighty engine on him meaning he can control the flanks for entire matches. The pace the defender holds means he is up and down them faster than anybody.
The La Masia graduate is currently valued at £6 million, so the Hammers will not have to break the bank for him. It is possible Barcelona would be willing to let him go out on loan again with another option to buy the player at the end of the loan.
This would certainly wet the appetite of David Sullivan who surely would be in favour of a loan with a view to buy, much like the deal for Tomas Soucek. Overall, if Ngakia does leave the club then a move for Wague seems to be the perfect deal for all involved.