David Sullivan sent transfer plea as Federico Chiesa move on cards at West Ham United
Frank McAvennie has pleaded with David Sullivan to spend more money after West Ham were linked with a move for Juventus attacker Federico Chiesa.
The Hammers have backed out of a move for the 25-year-old Italian, according to Gazzetta dello Sport [30 July], with the player’s demand of a £4.2million annual wage putting the club off.
Julen Lopetegui has already added Max Kilman to the squad on a £40million deal with Wolves [BBC Sport], though McAvennie wants the West Ham owner to widen his pockets.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, he said: “West Ham have always been the same. It’s almost as if the players have to be guaranteed to make it [in the Premier League]. David Moyes did brilliantly with the players he had. I didn’t like some of his playing styles but he was brilliant.
“So, this new guy has a hard act to follow. He needs good players if he’s going to do that. If you get half of these players, he’ll have an average side. I would like to see David Sullivan spending more but I know he’s not going to. There’s no point in arguing with that.
“He prefers a good deal. If he’s not going to get a deal, his money isn’t being spent.”
David Sullivan must empty pockets after West Ham United make Federico Chiesa transfer decision
Chiesa, who Rio Ferdinand once described as “hustling and bustling like a young Luis Suarez” [Metro], would certainly be a risky signing this summer.
His wages make him somewhat of a wild card if the Hammers were to secure his signature, but if Lopetegui wants to begin building a much stronger squad, it is the kind of signing that must be made every so often.
Of course, the club have already spent a fair amount of Kilman to reinforce the backline, but with Chiesa’s ability to play at centre-forward, he could fix a very important problem ahead of next season.
The firepower of Michail Antonio and Danny Ings has not been enough to convince fans that the Hammers are ready for another Premier League season, so it could be worth splashing out on the 26-year-old Serie A forward.
In other West Ham news, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has agreed personal terms as new multi-million demands emerge from Manchester United.
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