West Ham transfer target Guillermo Maripan has been frozen out at Spanish side Alaves with an eye on protecting him for a summer move, according to Marca.
The Spanish publication claim on their website that Maripan, who stands at 6’4″ tall (source: Transfermarkt) suffered an ankle injury in April while playing against Real Valladolid and has been training separately to his teammates ever since, with gym work being his main focus.
The 25-year-old is said to have first attracted the interest of West Ham in April and last week they were reported by the Daily Mail to have placed a £9.5million offer for the Chilean international to try and beat Roma to his signature, with the latest report claiming that the enforcer has been left out to avoid suffering a problem which could scupper a summer move.
Defender Maripan has been influential in the heart of back four who have helped their side push for European football this season, making 23 appearances and keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
Sports Director of Alaves Sergio Fernandez has always referred back to the £21million (€25million) release clause of his prized defender when asked about his future.
Good move for West Ham?
This season the Hammers have been treated to a great defensive partnership in Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena.
With Winston Reid likely to move on in the summer after making no appearances this season, Maripan could be the perfect replacement, but the Chilean would be expecting regular first team football.
Alaves seem prepared to let their man go which could indicate they believe he is replaceable and the £21million release clause does seem hefty for a player that was only signed for less than £1million in 2017.
If Manuel Pellegrini can get his man for a lot less than his release clause then it would be a great piece of business for West Ham.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to Happen?
Despite West Ham’s apparent strong interest, it is understood that Serie A side Roma are in the pole position to sign the 6’4″ defender.
The Italian side have reportedly held talks with Alaves for weeks regarding Maripan’s services in the summer. Despite this, Pellegrini looks to have made the first move in a placing an offer for the Chilean and if they can persuade him the Premier League is the right destination then he could well move in the summer.
It has been made clear that Maripan will be moving on after the season concludes in the coming weeks, and it will be a two horse battle between West Ham and Roma for his signature.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10