West Ham United target Diego Laxalt is reportedly keen to leave Genoa.
According to El Desmarques in Spain, Valencia have joined West Ham United in the race for Genoa talent Diego Laxalt – and he is determined to leave the club this summer.
Laxalt, 25, emerged in his native Uruguay with Defensor Sporting, earning a 2013 move to Inter Milan, though he spent most of his time out on loan with Bologna, Empoli and Genoa, eventually joining the latter permanently.
The wide man has impressed with Genoa, becoming a first-team regular before starring at the World Cup with Uruguay, featuring as an attack-minded left back for Oscar Tabarez’s side as they reached the quarter-finals.
Laxalt’s performances have unsurprisingly triggered interest, and Tuttomercatoweb reported just last week that West Ham have failed with their opening bid of €12million (£10.7million).
Now, El Desmarques in Spain report that Valencia are now joining the race for his signature, but believe the fee required would be €20million, almost £18million, in order to secure his services.
The report adds that Laxalt is determined to leave Genoa having seen his stock soar off the back of his World Cup displays, but he wants time to assess his options and consider his next move.
Adept at left back, left wing back or on the left of midfield, Laxalt would be a verastile option for any club, and West Ham may well consider increasing their bid in an effort to pip Valencia to his signature.
Manuel Pellegrini does already have one player with that same versatility in Arthur Masuaku, but Laxalt’s displays at the World Cup show that the Hammers could land a real star in the Uruguayan.
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