West Ham could sign full-back Lionel Messi said is ‘one of the best in the world’ as Spurs talks fail. West Ham United could snap up a truly world-class full-back this summer it seems, after talks with Tottenham failed to progress.
The summer transfer window has been an extremely busy one for West Ham so far, with Julen Lopetegui bringing in eight new players already. The Hammers are believed to be trying to sell players now to balance the books, including the likes of Greek centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos.
However, it would be foolhardy to presume that Lopetegui’s player recruitment is finished for the summer. I believe there will be one or two more new arrivals at the London Stadium over the next couple of weeks.
It seems like the West Ham head coach could be on the lookout for another full-back this summer, and an extremely versatile one at that. West Ham could beat Tottenham to Sergi Roberto
According to Mundo Deportivo (print edition August 14th, page 6), West Ham have stepped in to sign Sergi Roberto on a free transfer, after he held talks with Tottenham.
Those talks with Spurs failed to progress, and now the door is wide open for the Hammers to swoop in. West Ham have already been heavily linked with a move to sign the Spaniard this summer, and what an incredible addition he would be to Lopetegui’s ranks.
During his time playing with Roberto at Barcelona, Lionel Messi raved about the now 32-year-old, as quoted by Marca: Messi said, “You have become one of the best full-backs in the world.”
Roberto was world-class for Barcelona, after spending 14 years playing in the first-team, having graduated from La Masia. Despite his advancing years, I believe that Roberto could be a very good signing for the Hammers, on a short-term deal – let’s say for two years. The Spaniard can operate as a right-back or in his original central midfield position.
Lopetegui desperately needs more competition in the right-back department, even after the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. And the West Ham head coach is on the hunt for central midfield reinforcements as well.
Signing Sergi Roberto on a free transfer would be a way for West Ham to kill two birds with one stone, and a really cheap option at that. The Spaniard possesses exceptional technical ability, decent pace and is very useful at both ends of the pitch.
Signing the former Barcelona man on a free transfer seems like a no-brainer for the Hammers this summer. West Ham can now get full control of the London Stadium just like Man City at the Etihad, leaving egg on the face of the city’s mayor Sadiq Khan.
The Hammers and Manchester City have a close affinity on and off the pitch. That relationship dates back to a famous game between West Ham and Man City back in 1987. Man City’s ownership may be far wealthier than West Ham’s. And the Premier League rivals operate at different levels as a result. But the West Ham and Manchester City fanbases share a lot in common.
