Oscar Mingueza offered to West Ham in cut-price January transfer as Nuno crisis continues
Nuno Espirito Santo has identified Oscar Mingueza as his potential next signing for West Ham.
West Ham have been linked with Mingueza in recent weeks as Nuno remains eager to make improvements in defensive areas.
The Celta Vigo full-back would be a much-needed addition as West Ham are in serious danger of being relegated after Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest.
The Hammers have conceded 43 goals this season, but they’ve certainly received some good news, as Mingueza has been made available for a cut-price due to his contract expiring in June.
Oscar Mingueza offered to West Ham for £8million
Nuno’s sacking could be announced at any minute as the Hammers are now on a 10-match winless run in the top flight.
However, the Daily Mail has reported in its print edition that West Ham could sign Mingueza for £8 million in January, and have been offered that chance by Celta Vigo.
Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Barcelona all remain in competition with the Hammers, and it looks likely that the Spanish outfit will push to sell him before the deadline on 2 February, with his contract expiring soon.
| Stat | Mingueza |
| Appearances | 15 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Chances created | 17 |
| Touches | 844 |
The attacking full-back would provide a different option to the defensively solid Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and he could strike up a good partnership with Jarrod Bowen down the right-hand side.
Mingueza is incredibly versatile and can play on both flanks if needed, which would allow the Hammers to rotate their backline more frequently.
Whether Nuno gets enough time to confirm his signing is another question, but there’s no doubt that the Spaniard is a top talent.
Nuno was incredibly frustrated after the loss to Forest, and he was once again let down by his defence at the London Stadium.
- Read more: Nuno Espirito Santo blasted over ‘unacceptable’ actions on West Ham touchline vs Nottingham Forest
West Ham have a Championship-level defence
Alphonse Areola’s harsh mistake to give away a penalty for punching Morgan Gibbs-White may have sealed West Ham’s Premier League fate.
But throughout the season, there have been catastrophic signs that relegation was a very likely possibility.
The Hammers have conceded 12 goals from corners this season, and Nicolas Dominguez’s looping header summed up exactly how easy it is to score against Nuno’s side from set-pieces.
In reality, West Ham have to get the Mingueza deal over the line in January, but they can’t stop there.
At least one centre-back is needed, and the Hammers have already been linked with signing Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento.
David Sullivan may continue to invest heavily in the January transfer window, but it could be too little, too late for the Hammers, only making things worse if they do drop.
Hopefully, the potential signing of Mingueza would spur a revival among the players.
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.