Mario Hermoso update as West Ham United battle Aston Villa and Newcastle for free transfer
Aston Villa are “confident” of completing a deal to sign Mario Hermoso ahead of West Ham, according to HITC.
Reporting via their website on 3 June journalist Graeme Bailey says that Unai Emery’s side believe they can land the exit-bound Atletico Madrid defender on a free transfer despite interest from the Hammers and Newcastle in the Premier League.
New Napoli boss Antonio Conte is also a fan, with an offer on the way from the Serie A side.
Hermoso, 28, is said to like the idea of playing under fellow Spaniard Emery at Villa Park, while Champions League football is also likely to be a factor, with West Ham missing out on any European football for next season.
West Ham to miss out on another defender after Patricio Bruno?
The reality of the window is that Champions League football is often a deciding factor in transfer battles, especially for a player such as Hermoso who has become accustomed to playing in the premier European competition under Diego Simeone in recent seasons.
Incoming West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui might not have the same recent track record as Emery but the former Sevilla, Real Madrid and Spain manager has some profile of his own in his home country.
In addition, with Angelo Ogbonna leaving as his contract expires and senior centre-back pairing Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd both available for transfer this summer, there is a clear opportunity to feature heavily in the middle of the Irons back line.
As Hermoso can also play at left-back he would also help provide answers at a position where the club seem to be endlessly interested in making a signing but never manage to do so.
But West Ham might have to make up for the lack of European football with extra financial incentives, and after a move to sign Patricio Bruno from Flamengo broke down along similar lines David Sullivan may not be willing to push the boat out.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are exchanging documents to get a big-money deal over the line at last.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.