West Ham could pull the plug on their pursuit of Barcelona defender Marlon Santos amid reports in Spain a deal worth £15.7million is done, according to the Guardian.
The newspaper claim the Hammers have reservations about pushing through the capture of the centre-back, 22, due to concern as to whether his 5ft 11in physique is well enough equipped for English football.
Mundo Deportivo claimed earlier today (Wednesday) that Santos has already agreed the terms of a five-year contract with West Ham and talks over the fee are advanced but the Guardian claim a bid has not yet been lodged by the London club.
OPINION
Have the Spanish media got ahead of themselves over the transfer of Santos to the Premier League? Or are West Ham about to make an epic U-turn? Certainly, it appears they have got cold feet over pushing through a signing that is major money by their standards. Only a few players in the Hammers’ history have cost more than £16million, and the club have had their fingers burned over a few of the big-money captures. One thing is for sure, Santos’ height is not going to change, so new manager Manuel Pellegrini and the board need to decide whether he is the answer to their team’s chronic defensive problems. The Brazilian is not small, but he is far from a giant, and height matters in the Premier League. Contesting aerial balls is a key part of the job description, although plenty of players of similar height to Santos have had an outstanding spring and punched far above their weight – so to speak – in the air. Tim Cahill and Les Ferdinand are two examples. Moreover, Santos has other qualities. He is mobile, technically good and reads the game well. Buy a giant alongside him and West Ham could be in business.
