Stoke linked with Asier Illarramendi but if the midfielder leaves Real Sociedad then West Ham should consider him as a replacement for Mark Noble.
Galatasaray are said to be interested in Imbula, who found first team opportunities hard to come by under manager Mark Hughes last season, despite becoming the Potteries’ record transfer in February 2016 when he joined from Porto for £18.3m (BBC).
Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal (L) puts pressure on Gianelli Imbula of Stoke City (R).
If the 24-year-old does indeed depart for Turkey, then Illarramendi will become a target after impressing for Sociedad last term and earning his first senior cap for Spain in June as a result.
The 27-year-old failed to truly settle at Real Madrid during a two-year stint between 2013 and 2015 and returned to the Anoeta Stadium, but had enough talent to convince Los Blancos to pay £34m (BBC) for him in the first place – which is why a move to the Bet365 Stadium would be such a shock.
Illarramendi is also under contract until 2021 and the San Sebastian side are unlikely to want to sell, but if the Spaniard is tempted to the Premier League then West Ham United should try and beat Hughes to his signing.
The Hammers have already been busy in the transfer market this summer and have shown their intent with deals for Marko Arnautovic, Joe Hart, Javier Hernandez and Pablo Zabaleta.
Yet central midfield still remains a concern, with the performances of captain Mark Noble in 2016/17 inciting criticism from his own fans and Illarramendi would certainly represent an upgrade on the 30-year-old, as well as another standout signing to push West Ham to the next level in the English top tier.
Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) vies with Real Sociedad’s midfielder Asier Illarramendi (R).
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