West Ham United are reportedly amongst the sides keen to hand Ahmed Hegazi a swift return to the Premier League.
While West Brom ensured that they went down with some momentum ahead of their relegation to the Championship, it was undoubtedly a very bleak season until Darren Moore’s appointment as interim head coach. However, one player arguably managed to look impressive for much of the campaign.
Ahmed Hegazi was fairly consistent throughout the season. Signed initially on loan, the Egyptian was snapped up permanently before the January window began and continued to often be a shining light in a Baggies side that gave the fans little to smile about.
For the Hammers, it is arguably a fantastic opportunity for the club to land a very talented defender for a fraction of the fee that a player of his calibre would normally cost.
Hegazi should not be the most exciting addition the Irons make this summer. But he may well prove to be one of the shrewdest signings the Hammers secure if they manage to see off the challenge from the Foxes or any other side that decides to join the race.
The 27-year-old was an ever-present in the Premier League for West Brom despite having a very concerning injury record when he was with Fiorentina earlier in his career, and his style of no-nonsense defending made him a hugely important member in the side – and it could make him an extremely popular player at the London Stadium if he moves.
No team let in more league goals than West Ham this term, so adding to the defensive options has to be a priority when the new manager arrives. But with other areas of the squad also needing serious addressing, finding some bargains has to be a target also.
In Hegazi’s case, the £2.5 million release clause means that there is the potential for West Ham to land the kind of bargain that proves to be a masterstroke.
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