West Ham United have been linked with Antonio Valencia.
West Ham United were quiet in the January transfer window, but there are already rumours about their potential summer business.
The Hammers are likely to be in the market for attacking reinforcements, whilst further options at left back and in central midfield would be preferred.
Yet with Pablo Zabaleta out of contract and no sign yet of him signing an extension, West Ham may be forced to dip into the market for another right back.
The Sun report that Manuel Pellegrini wants to sign Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia, who should be available for free himself as he will also be out of contract.
However, replacing 34-year-old Zabaleta with 33-year-old Valencia isn’t the sort of move West Ham should be making, even on a free transfer.
There’s an argument that Valencia and replace the experience Zabaleta provides, but his huge wages and declining performances mean they would lose something on the pitch.
United fans have been slating Valencia for around a year now, acknowledging that he is in serious decline, hence their desire to let him leave this summer.
West Ham do already have Ryan Fredericks, but adding another player around the age of 25 would be a great move, bringing in a player of real ability now but still room to improve.
Outside of an experienced head and being available for free, there is little to be gained by signing Valencia, and West Ham must be aiming for better. After all, they’ve shown they can land bargains in the transfer market by landing Fabian Balbuena last summer.
Another signing of that ilk should be wanted rather than defaulting back to an over-the-hill veteran on big wages; a strategy which has really burned West Ham in the past.
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