West Ham Defender Reportedly Attracting Global Interest
Fabian Balbuena could be on his way out of West Ham once the summer transfer window opens. Despite having the club having the option to extend the defender’s contract by a year, he could leave for free at the end of the season.
The Paraguayan international is attracting interest from all around the globe. Brazilian sides Internacional and Flamengo are interested in bring the defender back to South America, whereas unnamed teams from the USA and Saudi Arabia are also interested in signing Balbuena. IT is believed that if Balbuena were to leave, he would favour a move back to Brazil.
Former manager Manuel Pellegrini signed Balbuena for a bargain price of £6.5 million. The 29-year-old in his debut season formed a solid partnership with Issa Diop. The defender’s second season was not as successful as he suffered from burnout after the Copa America and fell out of favour by both Pellegrini and David Moyes.
Fabian Balbuena has been a good servant for West Ham, but with interest growing in the defender, his days at the club could be numbered.
This season saw Balbuena turn his fortunes around. Issa Diop was ruled out of action after testing positive for COVID-19, and Balbuena forced into the starting eleven. The Paraguayan looked like his old solid self. The defender formed a stable partnership with Angelo Ogbonna and helped West Ham to a good start to the season.
Unfortunately for the defender, a knock before the new year saw him lose his place in the side to Craig Dawson, and the Englishman has been superb since. Dawson, like Balbuena, had formed a solid partnership with Ogbonna until the Italian’s injury and is now doing the same with Diop. This series of events has left Balbuena in no man’s land.
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In terms of Balbuena leaving the club, West Ham should still extend his contract for a couple of reasons. If the Hammers qualify for Europe, then the 29-year-old’s experience could be key in competition. Also, of the club decide to move him on, they could at least get a fee for the player that should be sold for least what the club paid for him.