West Ham United have been linked with Armando Izzo.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, West Ham United are closing in on a deal for Genoa’s Armando Izzo as the Italian side draw up a list of potential replacements.
The report claims that West Ham representatives are in Italy now talking over a likely deal, while Italian newspaper Secolo XIX cite a fee in the region of £12 million being enough to conclude the move.
West Ham have been in the market for a new central defender this summer with Toulouse defender Issa Diop having already joined, but it appears boss Manuel Pellegrini wants to further strengthen his backline.
The Hammers suffered on occasions last season with poor defending, shipping four goals on four separate occasions (losing 4-1 each time) in the final 11 games of the Premier League campaign.
Izzo made just 16 Serie A starts for Genoa last term, but when selected he impressed by averaging 1.9 tackles, 2.1 interceptions and 4.1 effective clearances per league fixture.
Aside from his defending ability, the 26-year-old is calm and assured on the ball and with Pellegrini keen to see his team build from the back, he represents an ideal option in that particular role.
With Tuttomercatoweb citing Izzo as ‘out’, West Ham’s chances of signing him appear high and he is at the right age to potentially enjoy a long-term stay at the London Stadium.
The East London club are also said to be keen on Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson, but with the BBC stating that little progress has been made on that front, perhaps West Ham see Izzo as the next best alternative.
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