OPINION
Premier League experience comes at a cost – which is why West Ham need to make the most of any situation that allows them to seal a player well versed in England’s top flight for a cut price fee.
The Hammers spent plenty of cash over the summer on a mix of experienced and novice stars to bolster their sides, the likes of Jack Wilshere, Carlos Sanchez and Lukasz Fabianski all having game time in the Premier League under their belts.
One of their most experienced stars is Pablo Zabaleta, the Argentine veteran heading into the twilight of his career at right back and considering his age – and contract status – another right back would not go amiss.
Step forward Leicester City’s Danny Simpson, who is another experienced talent with a contract expiring at the end of the season.
The Daily Mail report that the 31-year-old’s status has drawn the attention of Fulham and Newcastle United, along with a host of Championship sides, as the Foxes ponder on whether to cash in, but it should be the Hammers poaching his services for a cut price deal this January.
A versatile full back who could do a job on the left – another area which Manuel Pellegrini could do with strengthening, Simpson has 208 games of Premier League experience to his name and that is nothing to be scoffed at.
He might be out of favour at Leicester but that only works in West Ham’s favour, who need a player of his ilk to help bolster the options at Pellegrini’s disposal.
Fulham and Newcastle need to be blown aside as the Hammers hijack this hunt – it is a bargain deal in the making.