Keiber Lamadrid learns outcome of West Ham medical and work permit application
Keiber Lamadrid looks set to become West Ham’s third signing of the winter transfer window.
West Ham have already signed Pablo and Taty Castellanos, and they are set to add another attacker to their ranks.
Nuno Espirito Santo needed reinforcements to help the London Stadium side fight their way out of relegation trouble.
It looks as though the Portuguese boss is going to get his wish, as Lamadrid closes on his move to the Premier League.
Lamadrid to West Ham update confirms deal is nearly done
West Ham have agreed a deal to sign promising winger Lamadrid on loan initially, with a purchase option in the summer.
Venezuelan journalist Elias Lopez claimed on 22 January that has passed his medical with the East London club and his work permit has been approved.
He stated that the midfielder has arrived in London and will be presented as a Hammers player imminently.
What do West Ham need next?
The Hammers are five points off safety at the moment, and a huge part of that is their openness at the back.
Nuno’s side need defensive recruits desperately, which makes the Lamadrid deal feel quite peculiar, as they do not need new attackers.
The 22-year-old is expected to go in the youth ranks before eventually making his way into the first-team, so the addition is even more baffling when that is considered.
David Sullivan and Co must now go for a top-quality centre-back, as the Hammers have conceded the most goals in the division this season, with 44 allowed in 22 matches.
The likes of Bobby Thomas, Leo Pereira and Charlie Cresswell have been linked with moves to E20, but nothing looks close on the defensive front with just 11 days left to sign players.
That will surely concern Irons supporters, as they know exactly what their biggest weakness is, and it still hasn’t been addressed.
It needs to be before the market closes, otherwise, it seems like a mammoth task for the East London outfit to pull themselves out of the danger zone.
It they do not sign at least one defender, it may prove to be their demise, and see them go down to the Championship, for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign.
Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.