OPINION
West Ham will be getting themselves an absolute gem of a player if they can beat off competition from Premier League rivals, Everton, for the signing of Sassuolo defender Gianmarco Ferrari this summer.
In what is a case of Ferrari by name, Ferrari by nature, the 26-year-old centre-back who spent last season on loan with Sampdoria was imperious in the heart of the Italian side’s defence – so much so that he earnt a call-up to the national side.
But it is not only the Hammers and Everton who are interested in the defender. According to a report from Calcio Mercato, Spartak Moscow, Seville, and Monaco are all in waiting for the player while Napoli previously decided against a move as they did not want to pay the release clause of £11.5million.
But it is West Ham who are in need of reinforcements to their rearguard after enduring a campaign which saw them ripped open at the back time and time again to almost catastrophic effect.
With James Collins no longer around in the East End of London, and having already signed Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks, the Italian Ferrari would go a long way to ensuring that the 68 goals which were conceded last term were significantly reduced in a new-look defence under Manuel Pellegrini.
With Everton standing in their way, the Hammers must strike now for the highly-rated 6ft 2in (source: Transfermarkt) enforcer who can guarantee they are a much stronger opposition at the back.
