West Ham United enter transfer race to sign midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi
West Ham have entered the race to sign attacking midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi from Atalanta in the January transfer window, according to French journalist Ignazio Genuardi.
The Ukrainian international has reportedly been unhappy at the Serie A club this season and is now “ready” for a permanent move away in January. [Calcio Mercato, 13 September]
The Hammers were linked with the 29-year-old in the summer and have re-opened this interest alongside Tottenham Hotspur and Marseille.
According to Genuardi – who is followed by ExWHUEmployee on Twitter – the player has a “preference for the Premier League,” and “Tottenham and West Ham are notably interested.”
The journalist also said the €15-20million [£17.3million] price tag might prove “problematic” for Marseille but won’t be an issue for either of the linked Premier League clubs.
Reduced value
A move for Malinovskyi may be far more likely in January than in the summer, with the then-£45 million price tag warding off any potential action from The Hammers.
The reduced transfer fee will have Premier League clubs on red-hot alert to sign the creative midfielder, and David Moyes will be extremely tempted to take action.
The Ukrainian’s unfortunate falling out at Atalanta opens the door for West Ham, who are in need of more creativity after struggling to find the net very often in the first half of the season.
However, at 29 years of age, Malinovskyi doesn’t have too many years left at the peak of his powers, so a move would need to happen in the coming year to get the most out of their money.
The midfielder also hasn’t been in brilliant form this season, scoring just once in his 14 appearances for Atalanta, and you have to think there may be some better options out there for Moyes to explore.