West Ham United may face a problem in their pursuit of Lyon’s Marcelo.
According to Lyon-based newspaper Le Progres, Lyon are ready to offer a new contract to defender Marcelo in order to fend off interest from West Ham United.
The Hammers have already signed two new centre backs in Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop, but Manuel Pellegrini seemingly isn’t done with his defensive renovation just yet.
With Winston Reid out injured and James Collins released, West Ham appear to be keen on signing an experienced centre back, with Lyon’s Marcelo mentioned as a target.
The Daily Mail recently claimed that West Ham have failed with an £18million bid for Marcelo, with Lyon looking for more than £20million, despite paying just £6million for the Brazilian last summer.
Now, Le Progres report that Lyon are desperate to keep Marcelo having sold Mouctar Diakhaby to Valencia earlier this summer, and are set to offer the defender a new deal to stay.
It’s stated that that Marcelo could earn around 50% more at West Ham, but Lyon hope to convince him to ignore the greater wages in England in order to prolong his stay in France.
The 31-year-old has impressed with Lyon since signing from Besiktas last summer, and its understandable that Bruno Genesio’s men want to keep the 6ft 3in centre back at the club.
Formerly of Wisla Krakow, PSV Eindhoven, Hannover and Besiktas, Marcelo has travelled around Europe over the course of his career, but now looks settled in France – and West Ham may have to look elsewhere.
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