OPINION
West Ham must be thrilled to know that Antonio Valencia expects to leave Manchester Untied at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Times journalist Paul Hirst claimed via his personal Twitter account on Friday that Man United have decided against triggering an extension clause in Valencia’s deal at Old Trafford, meaning that he will be on the move in the summer on a free transfer.
MUFC have not triggered the extension. Valencia expects to leave on June 30. Lots of clubs interested. Under terms of his contract, Valencia is entitled to testimonial (he's been there for 10yrs after all) but all sides will have to agree on a date/venue etc before it goes ahead
— Paul Hirst (@hirstclass) March 1, 2019
It is understood that Man United had to trigger a one-year extension by 5pm on Friday, but failed to so, meaning that the 33-year-old is resigned to leaving the Premier League giants – which is surely music to the ears of those at West Ham.
The Sun reported in February that Manuel Pellegrini will make a move to sign £100,000-a-week Valencia in the summer if right-back Pablo Zabaleta decides to retire.
Zabaleta is yet to announce whether he will continue to play on after this season, but either way, Valencia is an upgrade on the former Manchester City man.
The 93-times Ecuador international has dropped down the pecking order at Old Trafford this season, appearing just eight times across all competitions.
However he is definitely still a top player who deserves to be playing in the Premier League, which is why it would be a no-brainer for the Irons to snap him up for free in the summer if Zabaleta goes.
Now Valencia is reportedly expecting to leave Man United, it means that West Ham could potentially get the feelers out early about striking up an agreement for the start of July.
It might also force Zabaleta into a decision on his future, which would be better off done sooner rather than later so Pellegrini can plan for life after the Argentine right-back.
Overall this is great news for West Ham.
A quality player has been effectively made available for free in the summer and that player just happens to already be on Pellegrini’s radar.