West Ham United are reportedly keen on Leicester City’s Eduardo Macia.
Whilst West Ham United could be in the market for a new manager this summer, they also appear to be targeting a director of football to lead their charge for new signings.
David Moyes is far from safe as manager given that the Hammer sit just two points clear of the relegation zone, and changes could arrive this summer.
The Sun report that not only are West Ham keen on Manuel Pellegrini as the club’s new manager, but they also want Leicester City’s head of recruitment Eduardo Macia as their new director football.
Macia, 43, joined Leicester in 2016 after spells with Valencia, Liverpool, Olympiacos, Fiorentina and Real Betis – and here are five players from Macia’s past who could be targeted by the Hammers.
German Pezzella
Fiorentina defender Pezzella was actually signed by Macia at Real Betis in 2015, and his impressive displays for the Andalusians earned him a loan move to Fiorentina last summer. The Argentinian has continued to impress in Italy, and whilst a permanent move looks likely this summer, that won’t stop Fiorentina from cashing in if a good enough offer comes in. West Ham desperately need defensive reinforcements, and Pezzella fits the bill at 26 years of age.
Ahmed Hegazy
If Macia would rather go for a defender with some Premier League experience, then West Bromwich Albion’s Hegazy fits the bill. Macia helped land Hegazy for Fiorentina back in 2012, and the Egyptian has been one of the few players to come out of West Brom’s relegation-bound campaign with some praise. A giant at 6ft 4in tall, Hegazy would add real height to the West Ham defence, and he may be keen on a Premier League return once West Brom go down.
Milan Badelj
West Ham spent much of January looking for a central midfielder, and a potentially ideal one is Fiorentina ace Badelj, who Macia signed from Hamburg back in 2014. The 29-year-old is out of contract this summer and can be signed for free, whilst he is expected to play for Croatia at this summer’s World Cup too. As a bargain addition to the West Ham midfield, Macia should consider signing Badelj again.
Fabian Ruiz
Linked with West Ham in January, Real Betis star Fabian Ruiz was coming up through the ranks with the La Liga side during Macia’s time at the club. A tall, playmaking midfielder who can dictate play from deep or go forward and attack, Ruiz looks to have a huge future ahead of him, and Macia should certainly consider a move for the 21-year-old.
Kevin Mirallas
Macia’s time with Olympiacos was brief, but he did see Belgian winger Mirallas thrive there, hitting 34 goals in 67 games before a move to Everton in 2012. Now something of an outcast at Goodison Park having been frozen out and sent back to Olympiacos on loan for the second half of the season, the 30-year-old should be available this summer, and would add another Premier League-proven attacker to the Hammers squad.
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