Bologna’s Riccardo Bigon in London for Wednesday talks with West Ham on Jerdy Schouten
Bologna sporting director Riccardo Bigon is due in London for Wednesday (11 May) talks with West Ham over midfielder Jerdy Schouten, CalcioNapoli24 reports.
The Serie A side’s man is apparently due to meet a host of English teams to discuss the potential exits of five players, with the Hammers the “most seriously interested” in the Dutch 25-year-old.
Bigon is also due to meet with Everton, Arsenal, Newcastle, Brentford and Tottenham, with the Toffees apparently focused on fellow midfielder Mattias Svanberg and the Gunners interested in left-back Aaron Hickey.
According to the report, he is being evaluated by the Irons in case Declan Rice leaves.
It appears that Napoli also want the three aforementioned players but face complications as Bigon “flies to London to sell them in the Premier League”.
Arthur Theate and Riccardo Orsolini are the other two players up for discussion.
Reinforcement
Whether Rice stays or goes it would be a sensible move to find some back up after the Hammers squad has been left to run on fumes in recent weeks.
Schouten is clearly not a candidate to fill the Irons captain’s shoes so if it is a matter of replacing the Hammer of the Year winner it is going to take more than just him.
But with Rice appearing to suggest he is looking ahead to next season at the London Stadium as he picked up that award it seems more likely that Schouten is a potential midfield back-up.
With club legend Mark Noble retiring and the ineffective Alex Kral not set to be at the club next year it leaves just Rice and Tomas Soucek as defensive options in the middle of the park.
Schouten is a candidate to deputise but at 25 and only making 15 Serie A appearances this season it would be a concern if he was expected to be a key part of David Moyes’ plans for next season.
Although the Scot has worked wonders with a small squad this year, it is important that the numbers are increased for next year.
It is not feasible to spend £30million a time so a cheaper option who can spell the starters and leave them more in the tank for the late-season run-in wouldn’t necessarily be a bad idea.
With a haul of players apparently ready to leave Bologna it is possible that others in the five available are in the manager’s thoughts as he makes his plans for the summer
In other West Ham news, the club are reportedly “sizing up an offer” for a key free transfer who would likely start next season if he arrives.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.