West Ham could submit a bid for a £21.2m winger who’s one of the best dribblers in Europe, according to a recent report. The Hammers are evidently in the market for new forwards to add to their ranks as Julen Lopetegui looks to assemble a squad capable of returning to Europe. The Ultimate Dark Horses At Euro 2024
West Ham have been linked with a number of wide players all with blistering pace, which is clearly an area the former Wolves man has identified as a weakness.
That said, he could now make a move to sign a very exciting right winger. West Ham United could now bid for Raoul Bellanova. According to Tuttosport, via ASRomaLive, West Ham could now submit an ‘important’ bid to sign Torino winger Raoul Bellanova.
The 24-year-old, who can also operate as a right-back, netted one goal whilst laying on seven assists last term and is also of interest to Aston Villa. The Hammers ‘appreciate’ the progress Bellanova has made, which has seen him debut for the Italian national team in recent months.
Though, as it stands, Roma lead the race for his signature, with a £21.2m price tag mooted. Bellanova’s FBref statistics make for very impressive reading indeed. The 2000-born ranks in the top four per cent for progressive carries compared to his positional peers across Europe, evincing his terrific dribbling ability.
Further, he sits in the top 14 per cent for successful take-ons, only amplifying that notion.
If West Ham do land his signature, they’d be getting a very forward-thinking wideman who loves to take on his man.
Bellanova’s direct approach would add a totally new dimension to their attack. West Ham United are set to advance talks to sign a former Barcelona target who is available for £10.1m, according to a recent report.
Julen Lopetegui has taken the reigns at the London Stadium and is working closely with sporting director Tim Steidten.
Having missed out on Europe last term, the onus will be on Lopetegui to achieve a top-seven finish and return the club to some form of European competition.
To do that, he’ll need to be backed in the summer transfer window and it appears Steidten could be closing in on his first addition for the new man.
West Ham United to advance talks for Vitao
According to Revista Colorada, West Ham are expected to advance in talks to sign Internacional defender Vitao on Monday.
The Hammers have already submitted a £6.8m bid but the Brazilian club value the 24-year-old, who was a target of Barcelona in 2019, at around £10.1m.
Internacional president Alessandro Barcellos remains confident that the club will keep hold of their prized asset, speaking in a recent interview.
“Vitão has a contract until June. He has a specific situation. From July we’ll deal with it publicly. Bustos has a contract with Inter with a renewal clause until 2026. They will only leave if Inter wants them to. We’re not going to lose any players. We take very good care of our contracts. Rest assured,” Barcellos said. Internacional can’t sell Vitao until July. Vitao will become an Internacional player in July having spent the last two seasons on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.
That said, a deal for the centre-back can’t officially go through until that point, which will delay the deal for West Ham.
