West Ham United ‘in talks with LaLiga side’ over £2.5m Guido Rodriguez exit
Guido Rodriguez’s time at West Ham United certainly hasn’t gone to plan since arriving on a free transfer last summer.
A World Cup winner with Argentina, Rodriguez signed for the East Londoners after his Real Betis contract expired, with previous head coach Julen Lopetegui demanding Tim Steidten to secure his signature.
However, Rodriguez has been massively off the pace at West Ham thus far, and after being a regular fixture under Lopetegui, Graham Potter has been hesitant to use him.
This clearly botched move to the Premier League hasn’t worked out for all parties, and as a result, it’s no surprise to see Rodriguez continuously being linked with a return to familiar shores next summer.
West Ham enter talks for permanent Guido Rodriguez transfer
The most likely destination for Rodriguez once he seals his inevitable exit from East London is, according to Orgullo Biri [12 February], a return to Real Betis, who have set their sights on the midfielder as their top target.
The Spanish outlet reports that Rodriguez is looking to seal a return to the Andalusian side barely nine months after his departure, and Betis have initiated transfer talks with the Hammers.
Betis are looking to pay roughly £2.5million – similar to what the Irons paid to sign him as a free agent – to take Rodriguez back to LaLiga, albeit their financial situation could make negotiations difficult.
West Ham will be happy to sanction Guido Rodriguez exit
The recruitment team and that brought Rodriguez to West Ham – spearheaded by Lopetegui and technical director Steidten – is now a thing of the past, with both men shown the door last month.
With Graham Potter now at the helm, and his long-time associate Kyle Macauley handling transfers, expect the Hammers to take a wildly different approach once the summer window comes into view.
Last summer’s recruitment at West Ham looked short-sighted at the time and has been exposed as such, with Rodriguez, Niclas Fullkrug and Wes Foderingham a trio of over-30s who have made next to no impact.
Though Rodriguez hasn’t been cast completely aside since Potter’s arrival – starting against Fulham and Crystal Palace – former loanee James Ward-Prowse’s return to West Ham knocks him further down the pecking order.
Having been able to sign Rodriguez from Betis without paying a transfer fee, the Irons will therefore be delighted to accept a £2.5m fee for him 12 months later – particularly with PSR boundaries in mind.