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West Ham United: Pundit issues verdict on Oleksandr Zinchenko

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Former West Ham United forward Frank McAvennie believes the Hammers can make a ‘great statement’ by signing Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Ukrainian star has been heavily linked with a move away amid reports that City are looking to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Club insider ExWHUemployee also revealed West Ham’s interest in the versatile ace earlier this month.

According to inews, the Ukraine international is keen to discuss his future with City before making any definitive decision and is open to signing a new contract.

The report also claims that the Citizens could be able to ‘command a substantial fee’ should he leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.

And McAvennie believes that not only could signing Zinchenko add a quality addition to the Irons squad, but persuade their star players to stick around as the Hammers aim to remain in European contention.

Speaking to West Ham Zone about Zinchenko, he said: “I think he’d be a great signing, but what kind of money are we talking about?

“What are City going to charge? I’ve just seen David [Moyes] was saying he’s happy to stick with Antonio next year, and I’m thinking, really? I’ve not got a problem with him, but we saw what was happening at the end of the season. He just ran out of steam.

“It’s a strange one. Certainly want to bring someone in. I don’t know who he’s going to bring.

“The boy you’re talking about from Ukraine [Zinchenko] would be a great addition but he would shine in that environment at West Ham. It’s a friendly place and it’s London, I keep saying it, his Mrs would love it. It’s one of them.

“I think he’d be a better player than what he is if he came. I just honestly think that he’s got so much talent, and I mean bits and bobs here and there, but he’s not really shining.

“If West Ham are to sign this boy, I don’t know what the figure is and I have a feeling it’ll be too much, but if you get someone like that, it will be a great statement for Declan Rice. A great statement to say, ‘look, stay here’. Even another year or a couple of years.

“That’s the kind of players that you need to sign. Will West Ham do it? I don’t know.”

TIF Thoughts on Zinchenko…

The £59k-per-week star was sensational in Ukraine’s 3-1 World Cup play-off semi-final triumph over Scotland earlier this month playing in midfield, registering 85 touches, four tackles, 3 chances created and completed two take-ons, highlighting his incredible influence in the middle of the park (via Squawka).

In 15 total appearances during City’s Premier League title triumph, the 25-year-old contributed considerably when called into action, picking up an impressive average SofaScore match rating of 7.07.

He provided four assists, as well as creating three big chances, while averaging 1.1 key passes, 1.9 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per top-flight outing.

Still young and possessing bags of experience, as well as a title-winning mentality and having played semi-regularly in a star-studded squad over the last few seasons, Zinchenko could represent smart and astute business by David Moyes if he manages to convince him to join his squad this summer.

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