West Ham to be offered Roger Ibanez as part of discussions over Scamacca deal
Roma are looking to move on defender Roger Ibanez this summer, despite an apparent lack of interest in him, and could offer him to West Ham, according to Il Tempo [page 25].
The Italian newspaper reported in their print edition on 29 July that Roma will propose a deal for Ibanez to West Ham when they fly to London later this week to discuss continued negotiations over Gianliuca Scamacca’s future.
The Hammers have been looking to strengthen their defence this summer, particularly at centre-back, and having had a recent bid for Harry Maguire rejected by Manchester United, they could be tempted to move for Ibanez if the deal is favourable.
A potential new option
Ibanez’s name has emerged as a possible new option for the Hammers to explore after previous rumours linked them with moves for Maguire and German international centre-back Jonathan Tah.
The Roma defender provides a different style from the others, as he also possesses the ability to play as a holding midfielder and on either side of the defence. His preferred position is as a centre-back, though.
Still only 24 years old, Ibanez has years on his side compared to the 30-year-old Maguire and 27-year-old Tah, which could make a deal more tempting as a long-term investment for the East London side.
Ibanez excels in progressive passing and making interceptions [WhoScored], although he makes a lot of fouls due to his aggressive style of defending, where he can often be quick to rush in and make an attempt to win the ball.
Roma’s determination to move the defender on this summer seems to have come from nowhere, as he impressed across his 33 league appearances last season and played 13 times as the Italian side reached the Europa League final, where they lost to Sevilla.
In other West Ham news, a £35million demand has been made to West Ham from a Premier League side.