OPINION
West Ham United have been credited with interest in Barcelona defender Marlon Santos for several weeks now, but a deal looked dead in the water after a long lull in related reports.
The link has now been well and truly revived after Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed the Hammers remained in pole position for the 22-year-old’s signature amid ongoing talks.
It is reported that the two sides have just small details to finalise before the deal can go through, with the touted price standing around £17.5million.
And, while Hammers fans may be excited about the prospect of signing a Barcelona defender this summer, the club must drop the talks for his signature.
Firstly, they have just signed Issa Diop from Toulouse, and reportedly remain interested in a deal for Swansea City star Alfie Mawson.
Mawson would be a much better signing for the club considering his Premier League experience, with the young English defender set to cost just a few million more than Marlon.
Leading on from that is the fact that the Hammers are reported to have had reservations about the 22-year-old’s physique and his ability to adapt to the physical Premier League, as reported by the Guardian.
Marlon’s frame, which stands just under 6ft, is understood to be the source of these worries, with Manuel Pellegrini keen to recruit players who will improve the club’s terrible defensive record.
Considering these reservations it seems strange that the club have gone back in for Marlon, especially with the Hammers having several other targets in mind.
The young enforcer has big potential, there is little doubt about that, but West Ham need players who can come in and make an instant impact next season.
Unfortunately Marlon is not someone who will do so, with the Brazilian set to struggle in the Premier League, and the club must abandon these talks for his signature, which would be £17.5million wasted in such an important window.
