OPINION
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini will be assessing his squad closely as the January transfer window slowly approaches, and there are several areas where the Hammers could do with reinforcements.
One main area of concern for Pellegrini so far this season will be in attack, with the Irons heavily reliant upon Marko Arnautovic for goals and that creative spark he brings.
Andriy Yarmolenko’s likely season-ending injury heaps more pressure on Arnautovic to perform for West Ham up front, and he needs some quality support soon or both his and the club’s seasons will end up breaking down.
One player the club have been linked to is Atlanta United attacker Miguel Almiron, with Ultima Hora claiming that the club are in the frame to seal a £25.7million deal for the 24-year-old.
Almiron has been in scintillating form for Atlanta in the MLS this term, with the Paraguay international dazzler scoring 12 goals and laying on 13 assists in 33 games so far.
Those stats are pretty ridiculous and he has inevitably attracted the attention of some big European clubs in recent months, with Tottenham and Arsenal both linked.
However, West Ham may have a secret weapon in their pocket to attract Almiron to the London Stadium, with centre-back Fabian Balbuena being a current international teammate of his for Paraguay.
There have been very few Paraguayan players in the history of the Premier League, and Balbuena is the only player from the South American currently player in the division.
His successful transition from football in the Americas to the Premier League will give Almiron heart, and he must now set to work convincing his teammate to join him in east London.
It is easy to underestimate the effect of having a familiar face around when settling in to new surroundings, and having Balbuena there will be a big factor for the 24-year-old.
It is now down to the club and Balbuena to recognise this and use it to their advantage as they set to work convincing him of the move.