The agent of Gonzalo Montiel has performed a rather intriguing U-turn on the River Plate defender’s future, telling TNT that he expects West Ham United to make a bid for a man they failed to sign in January.
With clubs from all over Europe fluttering their eyelashes in the direction of River Plate’s Argentina international, Marcelo Caraccedo has been a busy man in recent weeks.
23-year-old Montiel looks certain to be making a big-money move this summer with the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga all potential destinations for the 2018 Copa Libertadores winner.
And with West Ham in desperate need for reinforcements at right-back, it would be no surprise if Montiel was wearing claret and blue when 2020/21 kicks off.
In quotes reported by TYC recently, Caraccedo suggested that West Ham were not planning to renew their interest in a player they offered £9 million for during the January transfer window.
A fortnight later, however, Montiel’s agent has changed his tune.
“There are several teams that have called and are interested in Montiel. West Ham already made an offer in January and I think they’ll also make one in this market,” Caraccedo tells Radio la Red, before suggesting that River Plate may have to accept a reduced fee for a man with an £18 million release clause in his contract.
“Before the (global health crisis) there was talk of £8 million or £10 million, but I think that number would be difficult. If the (current situation) hadn’t happened, I would say there was a 80% or 90% chance he’d leave in this window.
“I think that an offer will appear, but I don’t know if it’ll be the amount that River expect.”
Pablo Zabaleta is set to hang up his boots when the season comes to an end and West Ham’s right-back problem has only been exacerbated by claims that youngster Jeremy Ngakia has refused to sign a new contract (Mail).
Montiel may be needed more than ever.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
