OPINION
West Ham have had a £3million bid reportedly rejected by Brentford for Spanish playmaker Jota this summer as they look to replace Sofiane Feghouli.
Read West Ham claimed in an exclusive that the 26-year-old attacker is at the top of West Ham’s transfer agenda as they look to add another winger to their squad with three weeks of the transfer window left.
It is said that the Hammers see Jota as the man to replace Feghouli, with the Algeria international expected to leave the club after struggling in his first season with the east London outfit.
Brentford are hoping for a figure closer to the £8million mark according to the report, but the Hammers are confident that they can secure a deal for the ex-Eibar ace for around £6million.
With a second offer set to be tabled, This Is Futbol considers whether a move for Jota will benefit West Ham and whether a move to the London Stadium is set to materialise:
Good move for West Ham?
The Hammers have already brought in Marko Arnautovic in the attacking midfield department, with Manuel Lanzini, Robert Snodgrass, Andre Ayew and Michail Antonio all able to play out wide.
However, with Ayew and Lanzini likely to be used in other positions, signing Jota would be a useful addition to the Hammers side after starring for Brentford last season.
Returning from Eibar in January after a disappointing loan spell, Jota made 21 first-team appearances and scored 12 goals as well as laying on five assists for Dean Smith’s side.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10.
Likely to happen?
With Premier League football in the offing and the Hammers confident that a £6million bid will be accepted, it seems unlikely that Jota would rather remain at Griffin Park.
The only uncertainty that remains is whether Jota will be willing to go from first-team regular to a player that may have to be content with sitting on the substitutes’ bench at times.
For a bargain price of £6million, the Hammers would be signing a player that has the quality to unlock a defence with a vision and creative nous that can see him dumbfound his opponents.
With only 12 months on his contract to run, Jota may find that Brentford will be willing to push through a deal if the price is right and that will see a move more than likely struck before the end of August.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10.