OPINION
West Ham must convince AS Roma’s French midfielder Maxime Gonalons to arrive at the London Stadium this summer as he would be a very good signing to make.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato the Hammers have offered 10 million euros (£8.9million) on a plate to the Serie A side in order to sign the 29-year-old defensive midfielder but his dream is to seal a move back to France’s Ligue 1.
It is claimed that this is Gonalons’ preference despite him be willing to think about the Hammers’ offer as well as having Everton and Crystal Palace chasing his services.
The in-demand midfielder would be the ideal way for Manuel Pellegrini to round off the summer transfer window as he is in need of securing the services of a capable midfield enforcer who would make his side more defensively solid.
Gonalons more than fits the bill and would be able to make the role of holding midfielder his own at the London Stadium if recruited.
The 29-year-old dictates the tempo of games through his ability to hold on to the ball and distribute the ball smartly through his passes so would run Pellegrini’s midfield for him.
The current AS Roma player is also someone who does all he can for his side’s cause even if that means dramatically putting his body on the line in order to block his opponent’s attempt at goal.
Given that Calciomercato’s report stated that Roma are willing to give up the player and that the Hammers have clearly got enough funds to secure his services, all Pellegrini needs to do is convince him that a move to the Premier League is worth putting his plans to return to France on hold.
Therefore as the Hammers need a new defensive midfielder before the transfer window shuts, the London club must convince Gonalons to join them as he is needed at the London Stadium.
