OPINION
West Ham United made a number of impressive signings last summer, but they also missed out on a fair few salivating deals.
One of those they would surely have loved to get over the line is Porto winger Yacine Brahimi. ESPN reported that the Hammers were in talks for the Algerian international last summer, but that ultimately came to nothing.
However, it’s time for the club to take another look at the 29-year-old when the transfer window opens in a couple of months time. Brahimi bagged 13 goals from out wide this season and is a proven Champions League performer with Sérgio Conceição’s side.
West Ham are an ambitious club, you only have to look at their stadium and the calibre of players they brought in last summer to know that. So they won’t be content with a 10th place finish this term, they’ll want to smash the glass ceiling of the top six – Brahimi could help them do that.
He’s a Manuel Pellegrini type of player, as well, immensely powerful but also technically gifted. He’s not got lightning quick pace, but he can move, and he certainly knows where the goal is.
Pellegrini has never quite seemed convinced by Michail Antonio, meaning there’s scope for a winger to come in and take his place in the team. An attacking midfield trio of Brahimi, Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson would be enough to have any Hammers fan salivating.
Obviously the club have already made contact with Porto and the player will be aware of their interest. It didn’t work out last time, but perhaps this is the transfer window where West Ham get the Brahimi deal over the line.
