West Ham would vastly improve their options between the sticks with the signing of Malaga goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa this summer.
Ochoa, 31, has spent the entire 2016-17 season on loan with Malaga’s rivals Granada, who finished bottom of La Liga and were relegated.
The Daily Mail claim the Hammers are keen on England stopper Joe Hart, while the Express claim Sunderland ace Jordan Pickford is also interesting West Ham.
However, This Is Futbol analyses three reasons why the Hammers should forget about the England duo and bring Ochoa to the London Stadium.
80-time international who starred in World Cup
Former Ajaccio goalkeeper Ochoa is known for his shot-stopping ability and astounding flexibility that allows him to produce unerring saves that many professional goalkeepers could only dream of making. That talent saw him earn two man-of-the-match awards in four Mexico matches at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, propelling him onto the world stage as he denied the likes of Neymar, Arjen Robben and Mario Mandzukic with aplomb. If Slaven Bilic can inspire the 80-time international to produce his career-defining moments during the tournament for West Ham, he will be securing one of the best bits of business this summer.
Bargain deal as contract set to end
Ochoa is set to leave Malaga on a free transfer this summer, with only five weeks left on his current contract. Hammers boss Bilic’s job is currently under massive scrutiny, following a disappointing season and after a number of poor signings last season, it is unlikely the east London outfit’s owners will trust him with a huge transfer budget this time round. It could mean that Bilic will have to look for bargain deals this summer to improve his side, and Ochoa is just that as he would be able to sign on the dotted line for nothing this summer.
Current options
The Hammers have decided to extend Adrian’s stay in Stratford for another two years, with his previous contract keeping him at West Ham only until June 30. With him and Darren Randolph still on the books, the Hammers are without a top-class goalkeeper that is able to keep out the Premier League’s best. Bringing in Ochoa, though, would end Bilic’s search for a new shot-stopper, as the Mexican would instantly become the Hammers’ number one should he be brought to east London.