West Ham is the most likely destination for Barcelona centre-back Marlon after the club announced his exit, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Spanish publication reports on its website that the exit of the 22-year-old powerhouse should happen soon when Barcelona sanctions the sales of numerous players, which is set to happen imminently as June comes to an end and Financial Fair Play regulations are out of the way.
It is said that the Hammers are in pole position to land the Brazilian defender after he impressed on loan last season at Ligue 1 side Nice, with other Premier League sides chasing the Irons.
The French outfit – who finished eighth in the top flight last term – signed Marlon on a one-year loan deal last summer with the option to acquire him on a permanent basis, and the East London-based outfit seems likely to be his next club after falling surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.
OPINION
Marlon is a young centre-back who has not had a proper chance to shine at Barcelona due to the array of stars they already have amongst their ranks. However, his loan spell at Nice will have surely boosted his confidence as he was getting regular game time, making 27 appearances in all competitions for the French side. He has the ability and potential to be an established, talented defender, and West Ham are lucky that he is most likely going to get his first shot at the Premier League with them. Having already acquired the highly-rated defender Issa Diop, the Hammers’ back line could potentially be a force to be reckoned with next season if Marlon joined up with them. He would thrive in the top-flight as he most certainly has the quality to play there, and what will be Barcelona’s loss would be West Ham’s gain – and the supporters must be drooling at the prospect of landing him after reading this news.