West Ham United are expected to submit a bid for Swansea centre-back Alfie Mawson ‘very soon’, according to a club insider.
ExWHUemployee, who is widely regarded as a reliable and exclusive source of West Ham news on Twitter, claimed on Sunday that the club were close to submitting a bid for the enforcer.
Yep again it suits both parties as it means transfer fee is low but helps shift some of those players at us with high wages that other clubs may consider! Offer for Mawson is expected to go in very soon ? https://t.co/Hpf3BFxoN6
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) December 31, 2017
The Hammers have been widely linked with a bid for Mawson in January, with the 23-year-old impressing with his display’s for the Premier League’s bottom side.
The Sun previously reported that West Ham would have to pay £40million for Mawson, and claimed that talks are ongoing between the clubs about a swap deal involving a return to Swansea for Andre Ayew.
ExWHUemployee seemed to confirm those reports in his tweet, saying that a part-exchange deal involving Ayew would suit both parties.
Good move for West Ham?
A move for Mawson makes sense, but West Ham must be careful to not get shafted financially here.
Their desire to bring in not only a centre-back, but a proven Premier League one, is totally understandable, but they must not be blind in their dealings.
£40million seems inflated for Mawson, as prices usually are for young English players, and the Hammers must be open to other options.
Although, as ExWHUemployee suggests, a move the other way for Ayew makes sense as they are getting rid of a high earner, while also decreasing the transfer fee.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
If both sides are agreeable to the swap, then yes.
It seems a strange move for Swansea to let one of their best players go at this point in the season, but they may see the acquisition of Ayew as being worth it.
The deal is a strange one, as it essentially sees two direct rivals for relegation strengthening each other, but if both are keen, then it makes sense.
The sticking point will no doubt be finances, with West Ham having to figure out how much they are willing to part with for Mawson.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10