The Sporting Lisbon ace is a reported transfer target for both West Ham United and Arsenal
According to Portuguese media outlet A Bola, Arsenal and West Ham are locked in a battle to sign £16.8 million rated Sporting Lisbon ace Cristiano Piccini.
The right-back has performed admirably in Portugal this season, and it will be vital for the Hammers to beat the Gunners to his signature, with Pablo Zabaleta set to turn 34 next season.
Portuguese publication A Bola claim that the two Premier League clubs are set to battle it out for the Italian this summer, with a reported fee of €19.2 million (£16.8 million) being mooted.
Piccini, 25, is a reliable defender, but he also offers his side an attacking option down the right flank.
He possesses energy and stamina in abundance, and that will be vital for West Ham with Zabaleta entering the twilight years of his career.
The 25-year-old joined Sporting from Real Betis in the summer of 2017, and unfortunately for the Portuguese club, his assured performances have not gone unnoticed.
Piccini would be an excellent signing for the Hammers, and they could steal a march on Arsenal by offering him the opportunity of more regular first team action than he would receive at the Emirates.
In today’s ludicrously inflated transfer market, £16.8 million would surely be considered as decent value, and if Moyes does manage to bring him to the London Stadium, it could turn out to be a signing of real significance for West Ham.
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