West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini is unsure about signing Corinthians captain Fabian Balbuena after the defensive enforcer was recommended to Hammers director of football Mario Husillos, according to Claret & Hugh.
The increasingly-reliable West Ham fan blog claims on their website that Pellegrini will have the final say on whether or not sign Balbuena, 26, this summer after a South American agent suggested him to London Stadium chief Husillos.
It is understood that the Paraguay international is valued at £7million, but Pellegrini is yet to decide on whether to push forward with a deal as he continues to look at improving his defence.
Good move for West Ham?
Balbuena is very much an unknown quantity and if Pellegrini has reservations about signing him, then maybe it is best if West Ham were to avoid signing him.
£7million is not a bad fee for someone with proven leadership skills, international caps and experience of playing in high-pressure games in Brazil.
However it’s a completely different ball-game in the Premier League and Pellegrini must be absolutely sure that he can be an improvement on the options he already has at the London Stadium.
Judging by this report, the Chilean boss has his doubts, so it probably would be best to avoid him.
This is Futbol rating 3/10
Likely to happen?
Pellegrini may want to shelve interest in Balbuena for later in the summer in case he fails to land other defensive targets, but at the moment it does not seem as though this move will go through.
It’s unlikely that Corinthians would take less than £7million for their captain and best defender.
This is Futbol rating 2/10