OPINION
Credit where credit is due, West Ham have come flying out of the blocks this summer.
Whereas many of their Premier League peers are still trying to get their ideas in order when it comes to transfer plans, the Hammers have already snapped up three players, including exciting midfielder Pablo Fornals, and look keen to add to that tally as soon as possible.
A move for Maxi Gomez of Celta Vigo is being heavily touted, as reported by the Evening Standard, as is a potential swoop for Real Salt Lake winger Jefferson Savarino.
According to Sky Sports News, the Venezuelan could be available for as little as £6 million this summer, and the Hammers are understood to be interested in snapping him up, alongside Newcastle United.
Certainly, £6 million in today’s market is about as close as you can feasibly get to a risk free investment. That kind of money is small change these days, and even if a player were to flop, the financial loss associated with that would be minimal.
That doesn’t mean that the Irons should blindly push on with a move, however.
According to Whoscored, the South American, for all of his dribbling prowess, has a problems with holding onto the ball.
The stats show that he averaged 2.6 moments of bad control per match last season, as well as being dispossessed 1.7 times on average.
In addition, Savarino only managed, on average, one key pass per game in his 13 appearances last term.
Not to talk down on the MLS, but you have to wonder how he would manage with a step up to the Premier League.
Based on these statistics, you would have to guess “not very well”, and for that reason, West Ham should steer well clear.
