West Ham United outbid transfer rivals as Guido Rodriguez set to decide next move imminently
West Ham have made a stronger offer to sign Guido Rodriguez than both of their rivals in the race to bring him in, according to Yağız Sabuncuoğlu.
The Sports Digitale journalist reported via X on 2 August that the free agent midfielder would make a decision on his next move within the next 48 hours after the Hammers put the best terms on the table.
He has also received approaches from his former side Real Betis and Fenerbahce this week [Sports Digitale, 2 August], and he is now set to choose one of these three teams.
A potential switch to join Barcelona has collapsed since the departure of former manager Xavi Hernandez at the Camp Nou [Fabrizio Romano, 2 August].
Julen Lopetegui in search of new West Ham midfielder
Tim Steidten looks like he is taking this opportunity seriously after missing out on the likes of N’Golo Kanté and Youssouf Fofana in central midfield.
The fact the 30-year-old is a free agent clearly makes it easier to put an attractive offer on the table for him and increases the chances this pursuit won’t end in disappointment.
After bringing important signings such as Luis Guilherme and Max Kilman the transfer window had slowed down frustratingly.
But with Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United imminent [Graham Smyth, 2 August], and Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United [Dharmesh Sheth, 31 July] plus potentially Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund [Patrick Berger, 31 July] both incoming the picture is looking a lot brighter.
The squad doesn’t scream out as needing a central midfielder but Edson Alvarez was injured at the Copa America with Mexico and Flynn Downes has been sold back to Southampton.
Whether Lopetegui has major plans for David Moyes favourite Tomas Soucek remains to be seen, and the Scot himself was insistent on adding Kalvin Phillips in January.
Kanté and others proved out of reach but Rodriguez looks to be very gettable after leaving Betis after his contract expired, and putting the best offer in front of him should give the Hammers a good chance of securing another in a potential four-signing sequence.
In other West Ham news, large parts of a long awaited deal to sign a Premier League ace are now agreed.
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