West Ham want Verona ace Barak, club not keen on January deal
West Ham like Verona attacking midfielder Antonin Barak a lot, but the Serie A club do not want to sell him in January, according to Daniele Longo.
The Calcio Mercato journalist provided the information on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday (29 December) afternoon, and it appears the Hammers will have to wait till summer.
David Moyes would love to bolster his squad when the winter transfer window opens, and while the Czech Republic international, 27, has admirers at the London Stadium, getting a deal done next month could be hard.
Longo said: “West Ham like Verona’s Antonin Barak a lot, but they don’t want to sell him in January.”
Time to look elsewhere?
The Irons would ideally love to bring Jesse Lingard back from Manchester United, but it does not seem that will be possible in January.
Barak has been identified as an alternative, and it is clear to see why after five goals and three assists in 15 Serie A games in 2021-22.
He was involved in 10 goals in 34 league games last term and could be a solid addition to the West Ham midfield.
However, Verona are pushing for European qualifications and are not ready to lose such an influential player right now.
Moyes has signed three Czech players since becoming Hammers boss, and given how Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have both helped improve his side, the attraction towards their international teammate is understandable.
He has to wait till summer from the look of things, though, or go in with the kind of bid Verona will not be able to turn down.
A centre-back and striker are of higher priority for the Irons right now, though, and they will be looking to bolster those two positions in January.
In other West Ham news, an amazing attacker is making personal arrangements for Hammers switch in January.
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