West Ham United ready £80,000-a-week deal to blow Aston Villa out of water in ‘intense’ transfer battle
West Ham are reportedly “determined” to fend off “intense competition” from Aston Villa and sign Mario Hermoso, according to a report from Tutto Juve.
Hermoso’s contract at Atletico Madrid expires at the end of this season, leaving the door open for any potential suitors to agree a pre-contract deal with the Spaniard.
Italian sides Juventus, Inter and AC Milan have also been credited with an interest, but the report states that the Hammers are willing to offer Hermoso a salary “in excess of €5million a year”, which equates to £80,000-a-week – a figure which the Serie A trio are either unwilling or unable to match.
Mario Hermoso heading to West Ham?
If, as the report states, the wage figures leave West Ham and Aston Villa standing above their competitors in the race for Hermoso’s signature – and assuming the allure of Champions League football at an Italian giant does not sway the Spaniard more than what is on offer – the Hammers must find a way to ensure their pitch is more attractive than Villa’s.
Both sides have hope of playing in Europe next season – Champions League qualification is not unattainable for either, though Villa’s prospects of a fourth-placed Premier League finish are perhaps stronger than West Ham’s bid to win the Europa League.
However, the make-up of the squad reveals that Hermoso occupies a much more natural place in the Hammers’ ranks.
Hermoso would represent an immediate upgrade on both the club’s naturally left-footed central defenders, with Angelo Ogbonna turning 36 next month and Nayef Aguerd losing his place recently due to the inconsistency of his performances.
Villa, meanwhile, boast Pau Torres and the injured Tyrone Mings in their ranks – two players who will expect regular minutes – as well as the on-loan Clement Lenglet, whose permanent future at Villa Park remains unclear.
If David Moyes can convince the 28-year-old to swap Madrid for London on a free transfer, it will surely prove a good piece of business.
In other West Ham news, Manchester City’s decision on Kalvin Phillips’ future has been revealed.
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