West Ham United eye transfer for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili after scouting trips
Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is “on the radar” of West Ham United and the club have travelled to watch the 22-year-old play several times this season, according to Diario AS.
The report states that the Hammers are one of several clubs eyeing up the shot-stopper, with Chelsea and Inter Milan also registering interest in his performances.
Spanish side Valencia have ongoing financial issues off the pitch – with the television income set to be reduced next season and the club missing out on European football for a fourth successive season – so they would be open to selling the Georgian international this summer.
West Ham were at the Mestella Stadium last weekend to watch Mamardashvili ply his trade, while the goalkeeper’s agents are believed to have travelled to London last week for talks with clubs.
Changing of the guard
Although Lukasz Fabianski has performed admirably this season and was once again on hand to help the Hammers record a clean sheet against the Saints last weekend, the club need a contingency plan for when he eventually leaves.
At 37, the Polish international won’t be at the London Stadium for too much longer and although Alphonse Areola is his current understudy, there is little depth behind that.
Mamardashvili has been in fine form in La Liga this season and the fact that the likes of Chelsea and Inter Milan are interested in his services speaks volumes of his sky-high potential.
The one major issue for the Hammers is that Chelsea’s involvement could spark a transfer auction, and West Ham would inevitably therefore be out-priced.
The Georgian keeper may be a little pricy if the Todd Boehly’s bank book enter the fray, so looking elsewhere might be more realistic.
Either way, it is promising that West Ham United are looking to a future beyond Fabianski and not being reactive to his impending retirement.