Sporting Lisbon have rejected a big offer from West Bromwich Albion for midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia but Premier League rivals West Ham United are keen too.
West Bromwich Albion have been told in no uncertain terms that they will have to absolutely obliterate their transfer record in order to bring Rodrigo Battaglia to The Hawthorns this month.
A Bola (16th December, front page) stated that the Baggies had made a £13 million bid for Sporting Lisbon’s Argentine play-maker – level with the fee they paid Tottenham Hotspur to sign Nacer Chadli in the summer of 2016.
But Sporting, who are renowned for playing hardball in the transfer market, will demand £22 million for Battaglia. It is understood that the midfielder has a contract with the Primeira Liga giants until 2022, complete with a release clause of around £52.9 million.
But, according to O Jogo, Premier League rivals West Ham United are willing to negotiate with Sporting again despite that unseemly William Carvalho saga (below) which saw insults and accusations traded from both sides.
It is understood that the Hammers have been tracking Battaglia since at least 2013, when he was earning rave reviews with Huracan back in his homeland. Since then, the 26-year-old has played for Racing Club and Braga before joining Sporting in the summer of 2017.
West Ham boss David Moyes has been vocal about his desire to sign new midfielders during the January transfer window and the tenacious and technically gifted Battaglia would add quality in attack and defence.
It remains to be seen, however, whether a West Brom side restricted by Financial Fair Play can put up much of a fight.
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