West Ham United in talks with World Cup winner Marcos Acuna amid transfer race vs Nottingham Forest
West Ham are in talks with Sevilla left-back Marcos Acuna as they look to strengthen the left-back position this summer, according to 90min.
The outlet reported on their website Friday (25 August) that the Hammers are “talking to” the World Cup winning Argentinian, 31, but so are Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest, with Steve Cooper’s side ready to offer the defender a contract despite the injury he is currently carrying.
Aaron Cresswell has been heavily linked with a move away from the London Stadium this summer and has yet to feature this term behind Emerson.
West Ham are belatedly stocking up the squad with reinforcements, with a deal reached Friday to sign Mohammed Kudus after bringing in Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Better late than never
At only two years Cresswell’s junior it doesn’t look like a move for Acuna would be one with the long-term in mind, but if the Hammers veteran wants to move then David Moyes just needs cover at the position.
He appears to be largely happy to go with Italian international Emerson as his number one for now, and after making clear that he doesn’t want Ben Johnson to leave in his Friday press conference [Athletic, 25 August] the versatile youngster could be third choice.
Sevilla are believed to have financial concerns [Express, 25 August] and the Irons are looking to take advantage already by reigniting Moyes’ long-held interest in striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
So it could be a double-deal if the numbers are right for the club to kill two birds with one stone and find new options up front and on the left of the defence.
Acuna is highly experienced from his time in La Liga and with Sporting in Portugal, and lifted the World Cup alongside Lionel Messi in the winter as part of his 53 international caps.
Kudus’ arrival nominally should replace Gianluca Scamacca’s exit, although the Ghanian’s versatility will give Moyes plenty of options.
But with Cresswell and Michail Antonio two West Ham veterans who have been looking to move on for a while it looks like the Irons are looking in the same place to find late replacements for both.
In other West Ham news, the club have demanded big money to sell a player who has been linked with a move back to his home country.