Guido Rodriguez sends message to fans after West Ham United transfer update
Guido Rodriguez has sent an emotional message to Real Betis fans as he finalises a move to West Ham United.
The Argentine midfielder left Betis at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract and is set to sign a two-year deal with the Hammers (Fabrizio Romano).
Rodriguez is due to sign for West Ham imminently, with images of him wearing the new kit already appearing online [DSports Argentina].
His departure left a sour taste in the mouth of the Betis supporters, and Rodriguez took to his Instagram account (6 August) to explain the reasons behind his decision.
The Argentina international said, in translated quotes from Spanish: “I doubt until the last day what was going to happen with my future and what was best for me.
“But I leave calmly, in peace of mind, because every day I was a Betis player I left everything I had to give, I never kept anything, I emptied myself. And I think it’s time to look to fill up somewhere else.
“I will miss them I know, they are part of my life, an important one. Why we live and share many things, more than thoughts on a professional and personal level. I’m going to see the team again whenever I can and I carry a part of Sevilla in my heart.”
West Ham to announce Guido Rodriguez transfer
Julen Lopetegui has ramped up the spending at the London Stadium in the past week and Rodriguez is set to be the latest recruit for his side.
The Irons have confirmed the signings of Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United and Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund in the past few days, while they are currently negotiating with Manchester United for Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Sean Whetstone).
Their exploits off the pitch are a helpful distraction from the results on the pitch. The Hammers have been poor in pre-season and suffered two 3-1 defeats at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace.
Rodriguez, a World Cup winner with Argentina, is an excellent coup for Lopetegui and will add proven quality to the midfield and fill the void left by Declan Rice.
He is not a like-for-like replacement for Rice, but his defensive acumen and ability to protect the defence will be vital to the Hammers’ success and allow midfielders Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse to affect the game further up the pitch.
West Ham are ‘winning the transfer window’, so to speak, with this latest addition and his arrival comes at an important time for the Irons as they look to mount an attack on the European places in the Premier League this season.
In other West Ham news, Lopetegui has made a “final” request of the club during the transfer window.
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