West Ham United eye move for ‘simply perfect’ Fiorentina star Lucas Martinez Quarta, Brighton also interested
West Ham attention has been attracted to Lucas Martinez Quarta thanks to the Fiorentina defender’s performances recently, according to Calcio Mercato.
The Italian outlet reports via their website on 19 October that the Argentina international has been having a “simply perfect season” so far in Vincenzo Italiano’s side, who are currently fourth in Serie A and four points off the top.
The Premier League now reportedly “has its sights set” on the 27-year-old, with the Hammers and Brighton named as on his trail.
There are currently reportedly no official offers but that is tipped to change if he continues in his current form, said to be “fundamental” to Italiano’s system, and it is thought that at least €25million [£21.7m] is going to be needed to land him.
Gearing up?
West Ham overcame Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final with Martinez Quarta left on the bench by his manager for the showpiece.
But based on his apparent importance this term, where he has also scored twice and assisted a third in six league appearances, that might have been an error.
Similarly, since the Viola were beaten 4-0 by Inter on 3 September in another game where the Argentina Copa America winner was a substitute, they have gone unbeaten in Serie A with him playing every minute, culminating in a 3-1 victory over reigning champions Napoli prior to the International break.
David Moyes may have added to his centre-back options with Konstantinos Mavropanos in the summer but he also pushed hard to add Harry Maguire.
Nayef Aguerd emerged as a major target for a Middle Eastern move and injuries are a relatively regular occurrence at the back for West Ham.
So if the emergence of Martinez Quarta as such an important part of a surprise package in a top European league has English sides paying attention it makes sense that the Irons would be involved.
Some teams shy away from signing veteran players for big fees but experience is something that Moyes tends to favour so if a deal is in the offing come January or next summer then a London Stadium move might be on the cards.
In other West Ham news, an established regular-starter for Moyes has been tipped to be gone in the same timeframe.