West Ham Looking At Barca Star To Injury Solves Crisis

West Ham have found themselves in a spot of bother regarding their left-back role with injuries starting to pile up in the position.

West Ham only have two senior left-backs in the squad. Arthur Masuaku is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery last week and is not expected back until the new year. The Hammers other left-back Aaron Cresswell picked up a knock against Crystal Palace, though having played through the pain it is yet known if he will be forced onto the sidelines.

This worry that any injury to Cresswell would leave the Hammers short in the position. After failing to reinforce in the summer David Moyes’ side have now been linked with to Barcelona Left-back Junior Firpo as a potential January signing to help cover the position.

Firpo has been linked to West Ham before. The defender was a target of former manager Manuel Pellegrini when he was a Real Betis before instead moving to Barcelona in a €30 million deal. The move has somewhat been a letdown, and the Dominican has only played twenty-nine times for the Catalan giants.

According to Mundo Deportivo journalist, Miguel Rico Barcelona want to part ways with the defender and are willing to let him leave on loan. A temporary switch would suit the Hammers perfectly as Firpo can play as a traditional left-back and as a left-wing-back. This adaptability would allow Moyes to switch between his two different defensive systems.

The 24-year-old has plenty of pace and can contribute to attack as well as the defence. Firpo’s potential arrival could also allow Cresswell to switch back into the more central role that has seen him excel this season.

West Ham will have competition to sign the flying full-back as Inter Milan are also interested in his signature. But the Hammers would be able to guarantee game time at the moment which could tempt Barcelona to take their offer. If Firpo did impress at the Hammers, he could be offered another chance at the Nou Camp.