OPINION
West Ham United have made finding a quality midfielder one of their main priorities in this transfer window as they attempted to bolster their squad in time for deadline day.
However, their search for a midfielder looks to have been hampered, as the Sun have reported that Juventus’ Stefano Sturaro is closing in on last-minute switch to rivals Watford.
The Champions League enforcer, who was won the league title four times with Juventus, looks to be joining the Hornets on loan with a view to a permanent move next summer, which has handed West Ham a major blow.
The Hammers were firmly in the running to sign the 25-year-old this summer according to Tutto Sport, but it looks like Watford have snatched him right from under their noses.
Sturaro would have been an excellent addition to boss Manuel Pellegrini’s squad, as his four year spell at Juventus could have undoubtedly helped him bring some extra quality to the club’s midfield.
He looks like a ready-made Premier League player, so the step up is definitely not a problem for him – but unfortunately, that will not be at West Ham.
Sturaro is renound for his physicality in Serie A, an asset that would have proved to be extremely vital in a Hammers’ team that lacks it.
Pellegrini has been used to getting most of the players he wants in this transfer window, and the fact he has most likely lost out on Sturaro will make him green with envy when he him in action for Watford.
He has signed the likes of Jack Wilshere to bolster his midfield, but having a quality partner like Sturaro playing alongside him would have certainly brought the best out of him.
It is a blow for the Hammers that they are not likely to sign him any time soon – but they can rest easy at night knowing that they have a number of talented players on board.
