West Ham United are interested in making a summer move for Villarreal playmaker Pablo Fornals, according to AS.
The Spanish outlet claims that the Hammers took a look at the Spanish international in January, as did Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, but that nothing came of it at the time.
However, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are thought to remain interested in the 23-year-old, who currently has a £22million release clause in his contract.
Fornals scored five goals and grabbed six assists in 50 games for Javier Calleja’s side this season, but could now move on this summer.
OPINION
This would be an excellent move for West Ham. There seems to be a bit of uncertainty surrounding attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini at the moment, so a playmaker could soon be needed at the London Stadium. If that proves to be the case then they could hardly do better than the Villarreal man. Fornals is proven at La Liga level, while having a fait bit of European and international experience as well. Indeed, you don’t get capped by Spain in this day and age without being a pretty decent footballer. It’s likely that if the Hammers managed to bring Fornals in that he would make a similar impact to that of Felipe Anderson this campaign. He’s got that sort of ability, the Spaniard. However, if the Lanzini situation gets resolved then this probably isn’t a deal that the club really need to make, with the Argentine and Anderson already at the London Stadium. So this is a mixed one. Fornals would be a tremendous addition, but only if Lanzini somehow leaves.
