OPINION
West Ham United show little sign of slowing in the transfer market as we approach deadline day, with there being several targets still on the clubs radar alongside a few players who might end up leaving the London Stadium.
One of those who could be on the way out is midfielder Pedro Obiang, who is the subject of heavy interest from former club Sampdoria.
As reported by Calciomercato, the two sides are said to have reached an agreement in principle for the 26-year-old enforcer, with a deal possibly being finalised very soon.
Obiang’s potential exit comes as a slight surprise considering how essential he was to the Hammers midfield before his injury last season, but it is not a huge blow for the club.
It can be assumed that Manuel Pellegrini will want to bring in a replacement should Obiang leave, and the Irons reportedly have a perfect candidate already on their radar.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Pellegrini is ‘insisting’ on a move for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, with the La Liga giants interested in bringing Domingo Quina the other way.
While losing Quina in the process would be far from ideal for West Ham, it is clear that the young midfielder is itching for a move away from the club, and there is little point in resisting that.
In return, West Ham would be getting a European Championship winner who is determined to prove himself once again following an ill-fated spell in Catalonia.
Granted, Gomes and Obiang are very different players, but the Portugal international is a step above the Spaniard, and that boost in quality is all that matters.
West Ham are in the process of trying to break into Europe, and to do that they need players like Gomes roaming their midfield, picking the perfect pass in the final third.
Signing a player of his calibre would also be a perfect way for the Hammers to round off a perfect summer of spending, and this is a move that they must now bring to fruition in the coming days.
