It has just emerged, that West Ham United are interested in signing a £17.1m-rated midfielder who is one of the best passers in Europe, according to a recent report.
The Julen Lopetegui era has now begun following David Moyes’s exit at the end of the season and the former Wolves man is expected to change the philosophy at the London Stadium.
To do that, though, he’ll need to be shrewd in the fast-approaching summer transfer window and sign some possession-based profiles.
The Hammers lack a real metronome in midfield and it seems Lopetegui has wasted no time in identifying one.
West Ham interested in Arthur Melo
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, West Ham United are set to pursue a deal for Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, who enjoyed a productive loan spell at Fiorentina last term.
Fiorentina have decided against signing him on a permanent deal for £17m, leaving The Hammers in pole position to land his signature.
Melo, having had a taste for Premier League football, may be keen to right the wrongs of his underwhelming spell at Liverpool.
The 27-year-old fits the bill for Lopetegui, as evinced by his phenomenal FBref statistics.
Arthur Melo statistics
It’s easy to see why Lopetegui is keen to bring Melo to East London when you look at his statistics.
The former Barcelona man ranks in the top four per cent for pass completion per 90 compared to his positional peers across the big five leagues.
Further, he sits in the top 24 per cent for progressive passes, evincing his playmaking ability from deeplying areas.
For £17m, it seems a shrewd acquisition for West Ham if they are to land his signature.