OPINION
West Ham United made great strides this summer with a terrific couple of months of spending, but they must continue investing in the team if they are to reach the next level.
A ball-playing centre-back would be ideal in that respect, and so the team should attempt to make a move for Mateo Musacchio, who according to the Mirror, is being lined up for a January switch by London rivals Fulham.
The Argentina international is a classy player who would instantly elevate the quality of the Hammers’ backline.
The centre back has proven himself to be a top class operator during his time with Villarreal and now European giants AC Milan, possessing technical ability on the ball that simply isn’t present in West Ham’s offer centre halves.
Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena have both shown themselves to be quality Premier League players, but neither man is able to bring the ball out from the back in the way Musacchio can.
Diop is a man mountain of a centre half who should be anchoring the team’s defence for the next decade; having an experienced man like Musacchio alongside him would only help accelerate his already-rapid progression.
Fulham have defensive troubles of their own, but West Ham would be making a mistake by allowing a top class international like Musacchio join one of their Premier League rivals. Manuel Pellegrini’s side should be flexing their muscles here, letting Fulham know that they are the bigger team.
Snaring Musacchio from Milan, and under the Cottagers’ noses, would send out a message that the Hammers want to be more than just another mid table Premier League outfit.
Signing the Argentine would be a step in that direction. He is a terrific technical defender who would give the team something different at the back – they should be doing their utmost to bring him in.
