OPINION
It should come as no surprise that West Ham are seeking out a new centre back to help bolster their line up – the only question is who do they look to snap up?
The Daily Mail have reported that the Hammers are looking to Spain for the answer, with Alaves’ Guillermo Maripan said to have caught Manuel Pellegrini’s eye with his performances at the heart of the defence – but snapping him up will not be easy.
It is stated that European heavyweights Roma are some way ahead of the Irons in pursuit of his capture, having already held talks with the Chilean international over a move to the capital of Italy.
As much as West Ham are a notable club in England, Roma are at another tier entirely and it seems as though the Irons’ hunt for the ball playing defender is to be short lived and end in disappointment.
However, there is a man in the Premier League who looks tailor made for the Hammers and it would mean convincing him to swap the north east of England for east London this summer.
That man is 27-year-old Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar, the Swiss star having established himself as one of the best defenders with the ball at his feet in the top flight.
At times the former Deportivo La Coruna centre back looks more like a midfielder, pinging balls with incredible accuracy to the forwards, while he is confident and talented enough to dribble up the pitch and shoot when the chance presents itself – his goal against Burnley demonstrating just what he has in his locker.
If Pellegrini wants a ball playing centre back, Schar is a perfect fit, bringing plenty that the current options at the London Stadium lack.
Newcastle would be loathed to lose their star man – all the more reason for the Hammers to pounce.