OPINION
West Ham should blow West Brom out of the water in the remaining days of the transfer window to land Fenerbahce midfielder Josef de Souza.
The Daily Mail claimed in their live transfer news blog on Saturday (3.42pm) that the Baggies had tabled a £10million offer to sign the 28-year-old defensive midfield player.
A three-time Brazil international, Souza can play in both midfield and at right-back and would be a welcome addition to the Baggies squad after they allowed Darren Fletcher to join Stoke City this summer.
Fener’s number 89 is currently a regular with the Turkish giants, making 45 appearances in all competitions but is also known for his goalscoring effect from the middle of the park.
He scored seven times in both league and cup fixtures last season, as well as adding three assists in that time for the Turkish giants as they eventually finished third in the Super Lig.
West Ham are likely to be scouring the transfer market for a new central midfielder after reportedly pulling out of a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.
Sky Sports claim that the Hammers have decided against spending £40million on the Euro 2016 winner, with the 25-year-old’s club not willing reduce their valuation.
The Hammers have just three proven Premier League midfielders in their squad in Mark Noble, Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate, with youngster Declan Rice impressing as a youngster.
However, a new central midfielder is required and preferably one that can score goals after Obiang and Kouyate managed just one apiece last season in the Premier League.
Souza is able to sit at the base of the midfield but also proves a huge threat from set pieces, with his strength and aerial prowess likely to be up there with the best in the Premier League.
At just £10million, Souza is a more than suitable alternative to Carvalho at just a quarter of the price.