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West Ham must sign Empoli midfielder Kristjan Asllani ahead of Newcastle United
West Ham have been linked with a move for Empoli midfielder Kristjan Asllani in a report published by Calciomercato back in May [26th].
The Hammers have been in the market to sign a midfielder to increase options in the middle of the park where Mark Noble has already retired and Declan Rice’s future is in doubt.
But recent news will be concerning for the Irons with Newcastle United set to hold meetings with the Italian club to discuss the future of the 20-year-old, according to Italian reporter Alfredo Pedulla.
Asllani, who is an Empoli academy product, has been heavily linked with a move away from the club in the upcoming transfer window.
Missed Opportunity
If Newcastle manage to get Asllani over the line, it will bring a lot of questions over the summer business of David Moyes.
The Albania international has enjoyed a fantastic Serie A season with Empoli, where despite only being 20 years old, he has shown the determination and agility to be the midfield rock of his team.
The youngster averaged 0.8 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game in the recently concluded season, according to Whoscored.com.
Asllani prefers to play as the box-to-box midfielder but also tends to occupy the defensive midfield role for his team. He can also play in a pivot alongside a defensive midfielder.
With Noble retiring and Alex Kral returning to Spartak Moscow, the Hammers had to be proactive in terms of their midfield options and signing someone like Asllani should be at the top of their priority list.
Therefore, if they would lose out to another Premier League club for the signing of Asllani, it can be considered a missed opportunity for Moyes and his recruitment staff.
In other West Ham news, Hammers must take £25m transfer gamble this summer
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