Competition from MLS duo for Scott Arfield is a blessing in disguise; West Ham can do better

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West Ham United have been linked with a move for the Burnley man in the summer.

According to the Sun, West Ham are going to face stiff competition from MLS sides Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact for the signature of Scott Arfield in the summer.

The Canadian’s contract with Burnley expires in the summer, so he will be available on a free transfer.

Arfield is an extremely hard worker, but he would hardly be an inspirational signing for the Hammers, so interest in his signature form America might actually be a blessing in disguise for them.

The 29-year-old can play anywhere along the midfield, but is most comfortable when deployed in the wide left role.

In 193 appearances for the Clarets, he has managed just 22 goals and 12 assists – hardly the type of numbers that will have West Ham fans salivating over the prospect of his potential arrival at the London Stadium.

If the Hammers manage to avoid relegation this season, the summer transfer window should be one of real activity for them, and their fans will quite rightly be expecting some exciting signings to go along with the promises made by the club’s owners.

With Gold and Sullivan’s track record, though, West Ham fans will probably be resigned to another frustrating transfer window in the summer.

Bringing Arfield to the London Stadium would constitute another underwhelming signing for the Hammers, and would be a move that reeks of penny-pinching, rather than any kind of forward-thinking vision and ambition.

Without offending Arfield, who is a solid performer, West Ham can do far better than the Burnley man, and should allow the two MLS sides to battle it out for his signature in the summer.