West Ham United target Gonzalo Montiel is set for an ‘imminent departure’ from River Plate and could be sold for far less than his £18 million release clause, as reported by Telam.
So, here we are again.
12 months after the Hammers failed with a £9 million loan-to-buy bid for the Argentina international – an offer River coach Marcel Gallardo described as ‘ridiculous’ – it seems that a move to London is back on the cards for Montiel.
With just six months left on his deal, cash-strapped River are under pressure to cash in before losing one of their prized assets for absolutely nothing.
According to Telam, there is now an acceptance that Montiel will have to be sold for around half of the £18 million release clause in his contract.
Ironically enough, West Ham can now sign their long-time transfer target for somewhere in the region of £9 million, one year after seeing a bid of exactly that amount batted away by the South American giants.
“His departure is imminent and we believe that he is the only player who is going to leave in the current transfer market,” a source close to River Plate told Telam of Montiel, who is also a target for Ligue 1 challengers Lyon.
The source does suggest that Montiel could sign a new contract before bidding farewell, ensuring that River will receive a decent fee for their 2018 Copa Libertadores winner. As things stand, however, the likes of West Ham and Lyon can afford to try their hand with a lowball bid.
Interestingly, Montiel’s fellow Argentina international Manuel Lanzini confirmed West Ham’s interest in the attack-minded right-back last summer (Ole).
“I think Montiel would be a good fit for West Ham. I know they looked at him,” Lanzini said.
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