OPINION
West Ham must win the reported race to sign Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi ahead of their Premier League rivals Everton and Arsenal as it would send a clear message about their ambitions for the 2018/19 campaign.
The Hammers are in the hunt to sign the 6ft 5in tall midfielder (Transfermarkt) according to Le10Sport alongside the Toffees and the Gunners.
The French outlet claim that Sevilla are yet to receive any offer from any of the Premier League sides pursuing his services and the Hammers should look to strike first in order to get a deal done.
Nzonzi is a ridiculously talented player who would dominate the midfield battle for whichever Premier League side he joins and would be a real force to be reckoned with in the division.
The 29-year-old giant’s ability to consistently win aerial duels as well as distribute the ball successfully due to his sublime passing makes him the midfielder that the Hammers were desperately lacking last season.
Nzonzi has proven his abilities beyond a shadow of a doubt during the 136 appearances he has made for Sevilla since joining them in 2015 as he has looked comfortable performing in La Liga as well as the Champions League where he has come up against world-class talent.
The powerful midfielder has also not been fazed from delivering the goods for France while he is not seen as a first-team starter for his nation, he hasn’t left them down with his displays at the World Cup.
Nzonzi has played 106 minutes of action at the prestigious international tournament and his role to help his side reach the World Cup final, even if a small role, shouldn’t be undersold.
The Hammers would also benefit from the midfielder’s arrival as he will clearly want to show the Premier League how much he has improved since the last time he was in the division.
The colossus midfielder has made a total of 195 appearances in England’s top-flight across spells at Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City but is a much-improved player since leaving the Premier League.
Nzonzi will no doubt feel he has a point to prove in the division and this will see him up his already stellar performances to a new level in order to make sure everyone is aware of his improvement.
If the Hammers were to beat Everton as well as Arsenal to his signature due to his talent it would inform everyone in the Premier League that Manuel Pellegrini’s side were serious about taking the division by storm next season.
The Hammers would clearly make themselves a side to watch and with Nzonzi in their team alongside their other new arrivals, they would clearly be seen as a contender to secure European football for next season.
Therefore Pellegrini’s side must win the race for the 29-year-old’s signature as it would send a clear message to everyone in the Premier League that the Hammers were a team to be wary of next season.
