West Ham could announce the signing of Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals “soon”, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
Football Insider has reported that the Hammers have bid £20million for the 23-year-old, and would even be willing to go up to £30million to lure him to the London Stadium this summer.
And Sky Sports pundit Balague claims that the deal would be worth around £24million and could be confirmed by the Premier League club at some point in the near future.
“On Fornals (who might be confirmed as a new West Ham player soon, around £24m). Brilliant signing, 23yo. In the mould of a FCB [Barcelona] midfielder, genius in the pass, drives the ball with quality. Big gaps in concentration without ball but can be added to his game. Winning mentality,” said Balague via his personal Twitter account on Wednesday.
On Fornals (who might be confirmed as a new @WestHamUtd player soon, around £24m). Brilliant signing, 23yo. In the mould of a FCB midfielder, genius in the pass, drives the ball with quality. Big gaps in concentration without ball but can be added to his game. Winning mentality pic.twitter.com/BLLvuTWHrk
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) June 12, 2019
OPINION
If Balague’s summary of Fornals does not get West Ham fans excited, then what will? Fornals had a great season for Villarreal last term, scoring five goals and supplying six assists in 50 appearances across all competitions for the Yellow Submarine. To hear that he is in the mould of a Barcelona midfielder is just about the highest praise that a Spanish midfielder can be given on an expert in the area like Balague, so Manuel Pellegrini will be doing very well to snap up the former Malaga ace this summer. It might leave Pellegrini with a selection headache by the time next season starts though. Fornals is primarily a central attacking midfielder but he can also play on either wing or in a central midfield role. Who will lose their place for Fornals? Or will he be played outside of his regular central role? Maybe we will get a better idea once West Ham play a few pre-season friendly matches.