Incoming new boss Julen Lopetegui wants a Red Devil turned Angel at West Ham to start his new era, a journalist has claimed.
This time next week Julen Lopetegui will have laid out his vision for West Ham.
The Spaniard may not have been an overwhelmingly popular choice among Hammers fans.
But many are warming to the idea of the ex Sevilla and Spain boss taking over from David Moyes.
Especially having listened to the infinitely more informed and considered opinion of Guillem Balague.
Some Hammers fans wanted a “sexier” name like Sporting’s Ruben Amorim or Lille’s Paulo Fonseca.
Well West Ham may not be getting Fonseca but they might be getting one of his best players.
That’s if a new report is to be believed regarding a star Lopetegui and Hammers technical director Tim Steidten are targeting.
Lopetegui wants Devil turned Angel to start new era
Lopetegui wants a Red Devil turned Angel at West Ham to start his new era.
Quite literally, in the shape of Angel Gomes.
It is being widely reported that Lopetegui and Steidten are working behind the scenes to identify West Ham’s targets ahead of a busy summer.
West Ham face a massive rebuild this summer with three key priorities.
- To seriously bolster a starting XI and squad with at least eight-10 quality signings given Lopetegui will have just 16 senior players when six leave at the end of their contracts this summer.
- Considerably lower the age of the Premier League’s second oldest squad with young, hungry talent and the odd experienced star.
- Target players who meet the Premier League’s homegrown status.
A player who ticks all those boxes and is high on West Ham’s transfer wish list is Lille’s Gomes.
That’s according to top transfer insider Graeme Bailey.
Bailey exclusively confirmed to Hammers News first that Lopetegui was the man David Sullivan had decided to appoint.
Ex Man United star has impressed Hammers
Now Bailey has told TBR West Ham want to sign former Man United youngster Gomes having watched him for some time and been suitably impressed.
Spurs and Villa are also credited with an interest.
But Gomes would undoubtedly get more game time at West Ham as Lopetegui rebuilds the side.
Gomes is extremely versatile and can play as a holding or attacking midfielder as well as out wide or up front.
Fonseca has used the 23-year-old in a variety of positions this season and he has been one of Lille’s most consistent players as they close in on Champions League qualification.
Gomes has laid on eight assists and recorded an average match rating of 6.83/10 for the Ligue 1 side.
Edmonton-born Gomes came through the ranks at Old Trafford but only made a handful of Premier League appearances before seeking first team football at Lille.
It certainly hasn’t done him any harm and now Bailey has confirmed he is on West Ham’s radar.
There is no mention how much Lille might want for a player who perfectly fits Steidten’s recruitment profile.
West Ham plans should excite fans
But he will be entering the last year of his contract so the Hammers may be able to get him for a knock-down fee.
And crucially Gomes counts as a homegrown player having come through at Man United.
West Ham have been linked with several players of a similar age, profile and contract situation to Gomes.
At the weekend it emerged Lopetegui and Steidten are cooking up some sweet revenge on Sporting with a move for top English talent Marcus Edwards.
These are exactly the kind of players West Ham should be targeting.
Alongside some more experienced stars like Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who are also being linked, this rebuild is starting to look very promising indeed.
You can check out Gomes in action in the video below.
