OPINION
It appears likely that West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini will look to recruit a new centre back this summer given the struggles his team have had in that area this season.
The inconsistencies of Fabian Balbuena, Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna have meant that the Chilean probably sees this as a necessary step come the end of the season, especially with long term absentee Winston Reid’s future up in the air.
It will have come as no surprise, then, to see Argentinian outlet Marca report earlier this week that the Hammers are one of the team’s with an interest in Manchester City centre half Nicolas Otamendi.
West Ham’s Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers are also thought to be taking a look at the player, and so it won’t be easy for Pellegrini to convince him to choose the London Stadium, but the Hammers faithful will surely be rubbing their hands with glee over the link to a player of Otamendi’s quality.
At 31 years of age the City man wouldn’t be a long term purchase, but he is an experienced player with a Premier League title under his belt. Furthermore, he has a relationship with Pellegrini after the West Ham boss bought him to City in the summer of 2015.
That could give his side the edge in the potential upcoming transfer battle for the former Valencia man. And there’s no doubt that he would be a phenomenal signing for the east London outfit.
The Argentine international is exactly the sort of player that the club needs to try and bridge the gap to teams like Leicester City, Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers. West Ham deserve to be up there as one of the best of the rest in the top flight, and Otamendi could help them get there.
