OPINION
Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly ready to try and sign Manchester United defender Chris Smalling for West Ham if a deal for Toulose Issa Diop falls through.
Claret & Hugh reported on Sunday that the experienced manager has the Man United centre-back on his shopping list at around £21million and that he was looking at him since the Diop deal had hit a problem.
However since then Foot Mercato had stated that Diop is on the verge of being a Hammers player and is scheduled to have a medical with the club as the deal is nearly done.
Though just like anything in football, a scenario can change quickly and this means that until Diop’s signature is written on a Hammers contract who knows if he will rock up at the London Stadium.
This means that there is at least a chance that Pellegrini will have to use his £21m back-up plan, also known as Smalling, to ensure the Hammers welcome a new enforcer in this window.
If the 28-year-old injury-ridden Man United defender becomes a Hammers player instead of the exciting 21-year-old Diop then Hammers hearts will be effectively crushed.
Diop excelled in his 41 appearances in his 2017/18 campaign and looks like he has the world at his feet as given his age he will only get better.
This is nearly the opposite to Smalling who once again was a passenger in a lot of his 46 outings during his latest season and looks to have reached the best standard that he ever will.
The 28-year-old does have the advantage of being Premier League proven, but the Hammers don’t want a cast-off from top-six clubs who just never seem to recapture the form they previously had when seen to be at their best.
The London club have seen countless big names welcomed and fail to deliver the performances they expect of them, and the Hammers’ pursuit of Diop was a way more exciting thought.
Therefore Pellegrini will be effectively crushing Hammers hearts by even considering making a move for Smalling rather than successfully capturing Diop.
