West Ham could face competition from Barcelona in their hunt to sign Celta Vigo forward Maxi Gomez, according to BBC journalist Tim Vickery.
The South American football expert claimed via the Sun website that the Hammers are unlikely to be the only club eyeing up the Uruguay international after Sky Sports reported that he is being lined up as a potential replacement for Marko Arnautovic.
Vickery claims that Barca could see Gomez, 22, as someone who could eventually replace Luis Suarez in the first team at the Nou Camp.
“West Ham will surely face competition for his signature,” said Vickery on the Sun website.
“Indeed, Barcelona may well be interested, seeing Gomez as a long term Luis Suarez replacement at club level as well as in the Uruguayan national team.”
OPINION
West Ham definitely need to push the boat out and land Gomez this month, even if Arnautovic ends up staying put at the London Stadium. Spanish news outlet El Desmarque reported in the summer that Gomez’s deal at Celta Vigo includes a mammoth release clause worth £43.9million, but even that fee could pale in comparison to what the player could eventually be worth. If Barcelona might be looking at him then West Ham need to gear up their efforts. Barca are able to attract pretty much every single player in the world, so they are bound to win any race for Gomez as he is already based in Spain and would get the chance to play alongside Uruguay team-mate Suarez. If the Hammers can force themselves to the front of the queue then they surely stand a better chance of snapping up the 22-year-old. Gomez has scored nine goals and supplied five assists in 19 La Liga appearances this season. He would definitely be a good signing for the Irons.