The agent of a top Argentine star Tim Steidten wants has held talks in London with West Ham and it’s looking good.
West Ham may have another seven signings to make this summer but don’t expect them to be players who can be pigeon-holed.
Brazilian teen sensation Luis Guilherme became West Ham’s first signing of the summer on Thursday.
There has already been debate about where the 18-year-old attacker will play for the Hammers with clips online showing him operating on the right wing – occupied by Jarrod Bowen.
Guilherme and technical director Tim Steidten were at pains to point out he is a versatile attacker who can play across ‘all attacking positions’.
Hammers fans can expect more of that approach with their targets, particularly attacking players.
The clue was in these comments from Steidten: “He is naturally a wide player but with the flexibility to play across other attacking positions, which is an important and valuable factor in the modern game.”
West Ham’s versatile plan of attack
That – coupled with a promise Steidten made to Guilherme about West Ham’s transfer plans – suggests more exciting, versatile young attacking stars will be on the way.
One player who certainly fits that description is Juventus’ Matias Soule.
Earlier this week Hammers News reported on claims that West Ham have a ‘concrete interest’ in Soule.
Now it has emerged that the top Argentine star’s agent has had talks with West Ham in London and it’s looking very good.
Yesterday TuttoSport reported that Mathias Soule’s representatives were in London this week where they met with West Ham, Crystal Palace and Leicester.
West Ham would of course be confident of seeing off competition from either of those clubs for the 21-year-old.
Now in a fresh update on Friday, the same outlet claims West Ham are the ones most serious about signing Soule as Steidten takes charge.
Soule’s agent has talks with West Ham and it’s looking good
“The Argentine’s entourage, yesterday in London, received the winks of Leicester and, above all, of West Ham, the club that is most seriously moving around him,” TuttoSport reports.
Better still it is claimed Juve are keen to sell Soule in order to fund moves for Teun Koopmeiners and Dean Huijsen.
This is a very exciting development indeed for West Ham.
Soule was one of the best attackers in all of Serie A last season. He scored 11 goals and laid on three assists in 36 games on loan at Frosinone. The Argentine winger also posted an extremely impressive average match rating of well over 7/10.
Like Guilherme, though, he can play across several attacking positions. That will give Julen Lopetegui an abundance of options with how he sets up the team.
Soule’s statistics are made all the more impressive by the fact he was playing in a poor side that ended up being relegated from Serie A, despite his best efforts.
He is a left-footed right winger, noted for his dribbling ability and set-piece taking, earning him comparisons to Angel Di Maria.
‘Able to change the game in so many ways’
TeamTalk journalist Ben Mattinson, a South American football expert, reckons Juve have been trying to offload Soule for £25m.
And he says he was one of his favourite players to watch last season.
“An ability to take on players like no other but more impressive is his football IQ and understanding of the game,” Mattinson said.
“He reads the game so well and judges what it needs. Soule is able to change the game in so many different ways.
“Great at taking on players to get shots off. He can cut inside on his left to whip accurate crosses in the box and create chances for teammates.”
West Ham fans are already salivating at the prospect of Guilherme teaming up with the likes of Bowen and Mohammed Kudus – and possibly Lucas Paqueta too. Let alone throwing Soule into the mix.
It seems there may be exciting times ahead for West Ham.
You can see just how brightly Soule shone last season in the video below.