West Ham United won’t be bringing Guillermo Maripan to the club any time soon.
Alaves defender Guillermo Maripan has been connected to West Ham United throughout 2019, but he won’t be heading to the club in the near future.
The Chilean centre back has starred for Alaves since arriving from Universidad Catolica in 2017, emerging as one of the top centre backs in La Liga.
Earlier this year, La Segunda reported that West Ham had made a January move for Maripan, offering €10million (£9million) for his signature.
Manuel Pellegrini has wanted him all year, seemingly familiar with him from back in their native Chile, and their pursuit continued into the summer.
The Sun claimed West Ham were ready to pay £15million for Maripan, but no move materialised, as the Hammers instead chose to spend their cash on Pablo Fornals and Sebastien Haller.
Maripan admitted to Mundo Deportivo just days go that the speculation about his future made him feel ‘awkward’, and West Ham may well have been hoping that they could rekindle their interest in the 6ft 4in defender in 2020.
However, Monaco confirmed late last night that they have signed Maripan to a five-year deal, with Goal reporting that the fee involved was £16million.
The English transfer deadline passed more than two weeks ago, but West Ham still suffered a blow last night, with one of Pellegrini’s long-term targets now off the market.
West Ham may well keep tabs on his progress in Ligue 1 with the idea of a future move, but for now, the Chilean will be calling Monte Carlo home, rather than East London.
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