West Ham reportedly have Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu on their radar, but Rafa Benitez has been a long-time admirer of the Spaniard.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
According to a recent report from the Daily Mirror, West Ham plan to target Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez if they decide to part company with Slaven Bilic in the summer.
Regardless of whether it would be the right decision to make a change or not – though, it would arguably be extremely harsh on the Croatian – getting Benitez in would be a major statement of intent from the Hammers.
That is partially because he reportedly has no desire to leave the Magpies for the London Stadium, according to the Daily Mail. But perhaps the Spaniard’s stance would soften slightly if the Irons showed some real ambition in the transfer market, with one player in particular likely to catch Benitez’s eye.
According to the Daily Star, West Ham want Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu but could have to rival Barcelona for his signature, and may have to pay £15.5 million to make a move happen, £5.5 million more than the Catalan giants would have to pay for their former starlet due to a clause they inserted into the deal during his move to Goodison Park.
Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu in action with Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld
Deulofeu is not only an extremely talented winger, but he is also a player that Benitez has wanted for nearly a decade it seems.
The Daily Mail reported in 2009 that Benitez – then of Liverpool – was monitoring the 14-year-old as he came through the ranks at La Masia, while a report in the Chronicle from January of this year suggested that he wanted to bring his countryman to Newcastle.
Landing Deulofeu would not only see West Ham sign one of their main targets, but it would also suggest that they are determined to make up for the mistakes they made last summer and move themselves right up the table.
And while it may seem unlikely, several more similarly high-profile deals may be the kind of thing that would just tempt Benitez to give any offer more consideration should the opportunity present itself.
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