West Ham United seemingly have a really good chance to sign a specific Barcelona player this summer.
The question is, will West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui actually want him at the London Stadium?
The Hammers boss needs to strengthen every single department of his squad this summer, if his side is to be competitive on all fronts next season.
Lopetegui is believed to be prioritising the additions of a centre-back and a centre-forward in the summer transfer window – Max Kilman and Jonathan David to be precise.
Whilst the need for a striker is obvious to see, the fact that we conceded 74 Premier League goals last season points towards the addition of a centre-back actually being the main priority for West Ham.
Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd have both proven to be inadequate in their respective roles at the London Stadium over the past year.
And big upgrades are required if the Hammers are to reach another level entirely under Lopetegui over the next few seasons.
West Ham have already been linked with the likes of Nehuen Perez and Max Kilman this summer, but now another target has emerged.
Barcelona are desperately trying to offload player to West Ham
With Lopetegui in such desperate need of a proven central defender, the latest news coming out of Spain is certainly interesting to read.
Kilman may well be the priority target for the Spaniard, but Wolves’ £45 million asking price is proving to be problematic
And with that in mind, the West Ham manager may well be on the look-out for a more reasonably priced deal.
One may be available for him back in his old stomping ground of La Liga it seems.
According to a report from Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona would wrap Clement Lenglet in a bow and walk him to London if it were at all possible.
West Ham have already been linked with a move to bring the 29-year-old defender to the London Stadium this summer.
I have to say, I’m not sure we should be going anywhere near Lenglet, even if he is available for a cut-price fee.
The 15-capped France international spent the last two seasons on loan in England with Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively.
Whilst he is very good with the ball at his feet, and possesses impressive technical ability, I’m not so sure that he has the physical capabilities needed to succeed in the Premier League.
Clement Lenglet earns around £150k-a-week (Capology), so he will undoubtedly be expecting a similar salary, if he does leave Barca to join West Ham.
There’s absolutely no way we’ll be paying him anything like that, so for now, I have no doubts that the Frenchman will not be moving to the London Stadium this summer.
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