OPINION
Despite some heavy spending in the summer transfer window, it is expected that West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini will look to sign one or two players in the upcoming January market.
There are some areas of concern which remain among the Hammers squad, and those will need to be addressed if the club are to make any real progress this season.
One player who the club have been linked to heavily in recent months is Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron, with previous reports suggesting the Irons were close to a £25million+ deal [Ultima Hora].
However, a fresh update on the situation from his agent confirms that such a move is not on the cards, and further suggests that the Hammers will miss out on the Paraguay international altogether.
Speaking to Paraguayan radio show Futbol a lo Grande, Daniel Campos revealed that he was working on a move to the Premier League for Almiron, with two or three clubs interested.
Campos further stated that he had been in attendance to watch Newcastle – another club linked with the 24-year-old – beat Bournemouth over the weekend, while claiming he was ‘sure’ Almiron would end up in the Premier League.
That would suggest that the Magpies are making real movements to sign Almiron in January, and puts West Ham in a tough position to turn things their way.
Signing Almiron would be a real boost for the Hammers, and would also be a huge statement of intent for the club moving forward.
The Paraguay international has been in scintillating form in the MLS this season, scoring 13 goals and registering 13 assists for Atlanta, who are through to the Conference finals.
The Hammers however look to have their work cut out to convince Campos and Almiron of the move, and they are in real danger of missing out if they do not act fast.
Manuel Pellegrini must now make a final decision on whether he wants the red-hot dazzler, and must make the requisite movements if the answer to that question is yes.
Otherwise the Hammers will be forced to watch on in envy as Almiron inevitably tears things up for one of their Premier League rivals in the near future.
