OPINION
West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang has handed Manuel Pellegrini a major boost as the manager doesn’t have to realistically worry about him exiting the club like he did in the summer.
According to Calciomercato.it, there has been speculation about the 26-year-old leaving the Hammers in order to return to Italy with both AC Milan and AS Roma potential interested parties.
However the transfer report goes on to share that at the moment Obiang’s desires a stay in the Premier League which puts to bed any suggestion that he may attempt to manufacture a move to Italian club anytime soon.
This will see Pellegrini breath a sigh of relief as he doesn’t have many experienced midfielders to choose from as it is, and if Obiang wanted to leave in January it would cause a problem.
Especially when you consider that the Hammers aren’t likely to have a massive January transfer budget after spending big in the summer, so finding a capable replacement for him could prove to be some task.
In the summer reliable Hammers insider ExWHUemployee shared that Obiang was tempted by the thought of Italian clubs being interested in his services as he would be happier in Italy due to potentially being surrounding by family and friends.
Well he has wanted to leave but we have said for now we will keep him. Could be innocent and mates just picked him up will ask https://t.co/HpQrASyiPo
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) August 3, 2018
It’s because it’s italy and I think his family and friends are all there but he is 50/50 he likes what Pellegrini has created but is happier in Italy https://t.co/r3U5nrHnWS
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) August 3, 2018
Yet if Calciomercato.it, are correct then unlike in the summer window, Pellegrini will be boosted rather than given headache over Obiang’s reported stance on his future.
The 26-year-old may not be a guaranteed name on the teamsheet but he has regularly featured, he has made 17 appearances, and at times he has been proven to be a vital part of the Hammers’ midfield.
Therefore it’s a major boost that any talk of his exit can likely be ignored as the club not only will want to keep him but the player knows he can get the Premier League football he desires if he stays put.
