West Ham have ‘concrete interest’ in signing a star dubbed the new Angel Di Maria according to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano.
If you couldn’t tell by now, technical director Tim Steidten has full control of West Ham’s recruitment.
And the German is clearly leaving no stone unturned as he transforms West Ham’s transfer policy.
The Hammers have too often paid over the odds for established players down the years.
While some of those deals have worked, West Ham have always had more success when bringing in younger players before they are on the radars of the elite and who are hungry to prove themselves at the top level.
Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus being the latest examples of that fact.
Judging by transfer speculation swirling around West Ham this summer, Steidten is looking to trust his instincts and scouting by going down the younger route.
Steidten’s brave new West Ham world
Brazilian teenage sensation Luis Guilherme is set to become the club’s first signing of the summer in a £25m deal from Palmeiras.
The 18-year-old is the poster boy for a brave new recruitment policy being introduced by Steidten – and backed by Julen Lopetegui in a way that certainly wouldn’t have been the case under David Moyes.
West Ham seem to be targeting players aged between 18 and 26 who have great potential.
Players who can grow and thrive with the Hammers while increasing in value and making the east Londoners a big profit, should their performances tempt one of the European elite to come knocking.
The Hammers are looking to sign several attacking players this summer given the uncertainty around Lucas Paqueta and what his future holds.
A host of players have been linked including Wesley Gassova, Wilfried Zaha and Jota Silva.
Now West Ham have ‘concrete interest’ in signing a star dubbed the new Angel Di Maria.
West Ham have ‘concrete interest’ in new Di Maria
According to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, Steidten has been monitoring Juventus’ Argentine winger Matias Soule.
And he suggests a deal could be on the cards for the 21-year-old attacker who can play right across the forward line.
“Understand West Ham are among clubs showing concrete interest in Matias Soule,” Romano said on X.
“Argentine winger could leave Juventus an case of important proposal this summer, all options are still open.
“West Ham have been monitoring Soule progress in Serie A this year.”
Well what has that progress looked like on paper?
Very impressive indeed.
West Ham target Soule scored 11 goals and laid on three assists in 36 games on loan at Frosinone. He also posted an extremely impressive average match rating of well over 7/10.
His statistics are made all the more impressive by the fact Soule was playing in a poor side that ended up being relegated from Serie A, despite his best efforts.
Soule is a left-footed right winger, noted for his dribbling ability and set-piece taking, earning him comparisons to Di Maria.
West Ham’s plan of attack
He lists his idol – rather unsurprisingly given his position, nationality and age – as Lionel Messi.
This is yet another link to a player who can play on the right flank – where Guilherme also operates.
It begs the question – is the Spaniard going to use Bowen as a striker full-time?
Whatever the answer it seems Lopetegui is certainly planning to attack the opposition next season.
That will be music to the ears of West Ham fans. And this is exactly the kind of exciting young player the Hammers should be targeting in their major rebuild.
Because Moyes left behind the Premier League’s second oldest squad.
That will be dramatically reduced when the Hammers sign Guilherme and further still if the likes of Soule do arrive.
Watch this space.
In the meantime you can check Soule out in action in the video below.