OPINION
West Ham’s doomed pursuit of Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho was one of the stories of the 2017 summer transfer window.
The Hammers ended up with pie on their face after Sporting cut ties with the club following their pursuit of the Portugal international, with that relationship seemingly restored around January time.
It now looks as though the door is open for the Hammers to plot another swoop for the 26-year-old enforcer this summer, with Carvalho now allowed to leave the club following a brutal fan attack on players, as reported by Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claim that Sporting are now actively pursuing a deal to take Carvalho to the Premier League, with Everton said to be interested.
ExWHUemployee, a renowned Hammers insider, has now claimed that the Irons are monitoring Carvalho’s situation at Sporting, with the club also eyeing up a move for goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
We are monitoring the situation with him and the goalkeeper too https://t.co/XuZAYR2ILW
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) June 1, 2018
This would be a perfect double swoop for West Ham as they look to strengthen this summer, and Manuel Pellegrini must pull out all the stops to make this a reality.
Carvalho would be a brilliant addition to the Hammers midfield, with his combative ability in the middle of the park allied with a brilliant passing range.
The club have been crying out for a midfielder who can do both, with Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate not quite up to scratch across both departments.
Patricio would fix one of the Hammers’ biggest problem areas of the 2017/18 season, with Joe Hart and Adrian both struggling to nail down the number one jersey.
The 30-year-old stopper, who also won Euro 2016 with Portugal, is at the peak of his powers right now, and would slot straight in as the club’s first choice goalkeeper.
An exciting double swoop for these two players would be a perfect way to strengthen this summer, with both looking likely to leave Sporting for the Premier League.
It is a move that makes so much sense, and one that the Hammers must put into motion as soon as possible.
