New West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui is said to be eyeing up a highly questionable summer deal.
Julen Lopetegui was officially announced as the new West Ham manager last week, and he is seemingly getting his summer transfer plans in place.
After numerous high-level meetings with Tim Steidten, Lopetegui is eyeing up strengthening in pretty much every department of the pitch.
The Spaniard is being linked with some very exciting signings, including the likes of Wolves centre-back Max Kilman.
However, not all of the transfer links are as exciting as the Kilman rumours.
Lopetegui apparently has his eye on someone who failed badly in the Premier League before…
Disastrous West Ham deal incoming as Julen Lopetegui eyes midfielder
The former Sevilla boss needs to strengthen his squad urgently this summer, especially in the central midfield department.
Tomas Soucek isn’t good enough technically to be a consistent starter in a Lopetegui side, whilst James Ward-Prowse is better suited to the more advanced role.
And now, Lopetegui is trying to add a more technically gifted central midfielder to his ranks at the London Stadium.
It seems like former Liverpool flop Arthur Melo could be West Ham bound.
That’s according to the weekend’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim that the Hammers have already made contact with the 22-capped Brazil international about a summer move to the London Stadium
The 27-year-old spent last season on loan with Fiorentina but is still owned by Juventus, with the Turin side asking for around £17 million for him.
Arthur endured a disastrous spell with Liverpool during the 2022/23 season. He managed just 13 minutes under Jurgen Klopp, and clearly didn’t impress one little bit.
The Brazilian is technically gifted but just isn’t built for the Premier League what with his lack of physicality and zero mobility.
If Julen Lopetegui brings Arthur to West Ham this summer, I think it could be a disastrous deal for the club.
He has absolutely no dynamism or athleticism – the two attributes that Lopetegui needs to add to his midfield most this summer.
I would much prefer us to move for someone like Youssouf Fofana. That said, if Lopetegui believes Arthur Melo is the man we need, then I will trust the process.
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