Newly-promoted Brighton have been linked with a move for Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva, but should West Ham gatecrash the potential deal?
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Slaven Bilic has guided the Hammers through a tough second season under his stewardship and the club looks set for a midtable finish.
Although the campaign has been in stark contrast to his record breaking debut season which saw the Hammers finish just four points off the Champions League places, many fans and pundits feeling Bilic has done a good job in difficult circumstances with injuries, poor recruitment, the Olympic Stadium move and the Dimitri Payet saga taking its toll.
And the Croatian knows the club must get it right with recruitment this summer after a glut of loan and free transfer signing backfired this year.
One such player who has underwhelmed has been midfielder Havard Nordtveit.
Despite improved recent performances, the jury is still out on the Norwegian.
West Ham United’s Havard Nordtveit in action
So should Bilic rival Chris Hughton’s newly-promoted Seagulls for revitalised Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva, who looks set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer.
The versatile star, 30, is out of contract this summer and the likes of The Mirror claim Brighton are targeting an ambitious move.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Lucas Leiva
According to reports, the Anfield fans’ favourite wants more game time and he could provide the perfect foil for Hammers stars Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio in the heart of midfield.
Talented on the ball Lucas would represent quite a coup for the Hammers and Bilic will be keen to add some experience to their midfield ranks having not truly replaced Alex Song since injuries wrecked his chances of a permanent deal at the club last season.
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