West Ham United could do a lot worse than the Euro 2016 hero.
The Telegraph reported this week that West Ham United want to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart this summer.
Problem is, the 30-year-old is on about £120k-a-week at Eastlands and would command a transfer fee of £18 million, according to The Evening Standard.
West Ham have made enough bad investments down the years to willingly walk into another one. Instead, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic should consider hijacking Watford’s move for Rui Patricio.
The Star reported on Friday that the 29-year-old keeper could be the subject of an £8 million bid from the Hornets and, if that’s the asking price, then Bilic should certainly explore the idea of bringing him to East London.
The Sporting Lisbon is arguably an upgrade on Adrian and Darren Randolph, which is what the Irons want, and he has the pedigree after helping Portugal win Euro 2016 in France last summer.
Patricio was excellent throughout the competition – particularly in the final where he made a plethora of stunning saves – and his international colleague Jose Fonte should recommend him to the Croatian manager.
Is Hart worth £18 million, and £120k-a-week? Probably not and there is so much more value in signing Patricio, at £8 million. Watford boss Marco Silva worked with him in Lisbon, which would give them an advantage no doubt, but West Ham are a much bigger club and they should prove it.
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