Manchester City

West Ham should move for Otamendi

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OPINION

West Ham must use Manuel Pellegrini being at the club to help them sign Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi as he’d dramatically bolster their options at the back.

The experienced manager who won the league title with Man City no doubt has connections with his old club that he can utilise to tempt the 30-year-old to arrive at the London Stadium.

While a new centre-back isn’t a priority for the Hammers, they could do with a new one given that aside from Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop, it’s hard to be confident about their options regarding central defenders.

Angelo Ogbonna has looked shaky in all his outings this season and Winston Reid hasn’t been able to return from an injury as of yet in order to even be available for selection.

While January isn’t an ideal window to pounce on player, given the situation of Otamendi it might be the best time for the Hammers to try their luck.

The enforcer, who earns £120,000-a-week at Man City (Source: Spotrac), has been sparingly used this season as he had made just the 10 appearances in the Premier League.

Otamendi’s lack of playing time has actually made him unhappy at Man City as Pep Guardiola admitted on Tuesday that the player did indeed want to feature more and it was effecting his mood.

“He’s not happy,” Guardiola said, as transcribed by Sky Sports.

“I don’t have an answer. When he plays he’s happy, when he doesn’t play he’s not happy.

“But it’s not just Otamendi, [it’s] everybody. All of them. I don’t know what I can do but be honest with myself and with them.

Therefore perhaps the Hammers would be able to reach agreement over signing Otamendi as clearly Guardiola has made it clear he is not sure whether he can cheer him up as he’s not about to increase his playing time dramatically.

So due to this the London must sign the Premier League proven defender to bolster their options at the back and use Pellegrini’s contacts to seal the deal as he would improve their squad.

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