OPINION
Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Barcelona’s Denis Suarez, and that could mean bad news for Gunners outcast Henrik Mkhitaryan, according to the Sun, but great news for West Ham fans.
If the Armenian is shown the exit door by Unai Emery, then the Irons must go all out to bring him to the London Stadium.
The Hammers are on the cusp of becoming a real contender for European football in the Premier League, but are at least one marquee signing away from making the transition, and the ex-Borussia Dortmund man could be exactly the play they need to do so.
There is no doubting the quality of the 29-year-old, who only signed for Manchester United for £42 million in 2016 before being used as a pawn in the Alexis Sanchez swap deal between the Reds and Arsenal last season.
Mkhitaryan primarily operates in a central creative role, and injuries have highlighted just how desperately West Ham need to reinforce in those kind of areas if they are serious about progressing under Manuel Pellegrini.
The Irons are not afraid to splash the cash, and while the ex-Bundesliga player of the year wouldn’t come cheap, he would be a marked improvement on any player they currently have in that position.
More than just a hollow statement of intent, Mkhitaryan’s capture would signal a new dawn for West Ham’s fortunes.
Fans would be dancing in the streets if a deal is done.