OPINION
West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini has worked fast since arriving at the London Stadium, with the Hammers having already secured three new signings this summer.
Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks have all been confirmed as West Ham players, and plans are seemingly in motion to bring in several more.
One name that has been linked with the Irons in recent days is Nice midfielder Jean-Michael Seri, who is on the radar of several top Premier League clubs.
As reported by Sky Sports, West Ham are showing interest in signing the 26-year-old, who is said to favour a move to the English top-flight.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have all been linked with the Ivory Coast international in the past, and the Hammers will also have competition from Serie A side Napoli.
Seri has a £35million release clause in his contract, which would make him a club-record signing for the Hammers, but one that is worth every penny of that fee.
However, the player’s agent has now revealed, as quoted by the Daily Express, that this release clause only runs until the 15th of July, after which point the Ligue 1 club can demand a higher fee.
That leaves Manuel Pellegrini with just three weeks to secure Seri at this price, in a deal which would surely turn out to be the coup of the summer in the Premier League.
The Hammers must therefore pull out all the stops to table a bid for Seri and elbow aside their rivals for his signature in the coming days.
Failure to do so will see the deal slip through their fingers, and that would be a massive loss for the club, who are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements.
Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate seem to have stagnated somewhat as a midfield duo, and Seri would bring some much-needed impetus and quality in that area.
£35million is a lot of money for the Hammers, but the 26-year-old would pay back that fee in kind with his all-action performances in the middle of the park.
It is an opportunity that the club cannot pass up, and they have just three weeks to make it happen or they will regret it next season.