West Ham given green light to complete two-year pursuit of Juventus’ Federico Gatti as approach made
West Ham have been given the green light to sign Juventus star Federico Gatti this summer.
As far back as April 2023, West Ham were linked with a move for Gatti amid interest from Premier League rivals Everton.
The London Stadium outfit were said to be keeping tabs on the Juventus defender in the summer of 2024 but he stayed put at the Italian giants.
Now, Il Bianconero state that Gatti, 27, “can leave Juventus in the summer” amid interest from “admirers abroad”.
They add that West Ham, in particular, have enquired about the 6ft 4in defender but if he does go, Juventus will want an “important” offer, ergo, he may not come on the cheap.
West Ham’s defence needs bolstering amid survival bid
While Nuno Espirito Santo‘s team are said to be keen on Juve’s Gatti, that interest will come to nothing if they get relegated from the Premier League.
And, naturally, if they do go down, West Ham’s defence will certainly be a big factor. So far, they have conceded 49 league goals – the second worst in the division.
Scoring goals is still a concern but West Ham have netted more than Wolves, Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Everton, and Crystal Palace with 32 goals in 24 matches.
West Ham spent £40million on centre-back Max Kilman in 2024 but he has proven to be something of a disaster – something Hammers fans are painfully aware of.
As a result, many will understand West Ham’s reported interest in Gatti. But they will only be able to have a chance of signing him if they stay in the Premier League.
- Read more: Nuno can still pull off West Ham transfer masterstroke despite Ricardo Pepi contract talks
West Ham face crucial period in bid to beat the drop
After recent wins over Tottenham, Sunderland, and Burnley, West Ham have given themselves a fighting chance of staving off relegation to the Championship.
And had it not been for Chelsea’s comeback win from two goals down at Stamford Bridge, coupled with Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time equaliser for Manchester United on Tuesday, the east London outfit would be out of the bottom three.
After their FA Cup clash with Burton Albion on Saturday, West Ham return to Premier League action on 21 February at home to in-form Bournemouth.
Subsequent fixtures with top six sides Liverpool, Manchester City, and Aston Villa lie ahead over the next six weeks, along with a trip to mid-table Fulham.
If they can pick up a couple of wins in this difficult stretch, West Ham may be able to secure a remarkable escape after all.
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