West Ham United tried and failed to bring Moussa Marega to the Premier League after he fired FC Porto to the Primeira Liga title
Judging by West Ham United’s first four games of the new Premier League season, it is fairly clear why they were so desperate to bring Moussa Marega to the London Stadium.
There has been plenty of focus on The Hammers’ flimsy defence and a lack of legs in midfield but their forward line has lacked presence too. With Marko Arnautovic a little out of sorts and Javier Hernandez starting just once, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have scored just twice in four games.
So Marega, a powerful and versatile centre-forward who fired Porto to their Primeira Liga title last season, would have filled a gap in West Ham’s squad.
But according to Sapo Deporte, West Ham were not willing to pay his £36 million release clause after having a bid worth £26 million rejected.
Though the Londoners should continue to keep tabs on Marega. Because, according to Record, Porto have accepted that he will be allowed to leave at the end of this season, despite the Malian signing a new contract until 2021.
It is understood that his £36 million release clause remains unchanged. But Marega could need another season like 2017/18, when he scored 22 goals in 29 league games, to convince West Ham to pay top dollar.
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