Four things West Ham fans should know about reported target Thiago Maia

As reported by the Sun, West Ham are closing in on a deal to sign Thiago Maia of Lille, which would instantly soften the blow of losing Cheikhou Kouyate to Crystal Palace.

The Hammers have surprised everyone this summer with the nature of their transfer business, having signed seven new first team players so far, and Manuel Pellegrini seems unfazed about breaking through the £100 million barrier.

LILLE, FRANCE – OCTOBER 29: Thiago Maia of Lille during the French League 1 match between Lille v Olympique Marseille at the Stade Pierre Mauroy on October 29, 2017 in Lille France (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Change was evidently needed after the sorry 2017/18 campaign, which was marred by unrest, and the Chilean is going the right way about trying to show some ambition for his new project.

Here are a few things for Irons supporters to know, as Maia prepares to possibly become the club’s eighth signing of the summer:

Holding midfield player

LILLE, FRANCE – OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Lucas Ocampos of Olympique Marseille, Thiago Maia of Lille during the French League 1 match between Lille v Olympique Marseille at the Stade Pierre Mauroy on October 29, 2017 in Lille France (Photo by Laurens Lindhout/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Signing Maia would address the fact that West Ham need cover in the defensive midfield area. Mark Noble doesn’t exactly bomb forward but neither is he the greatest defensive player either. New signing Jack Wilshere is definitely more suited to surging forward, so Maia is a great option to simply screen the defence – he was tried out in an attacking role with Lille last season, but it’s clear where his strengths lie. The Boa Vista-born enforcer can pick a pass, and reads the game well from deep.

He’ll cost around £20 million but it could have been a lot more

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It’s being reported that Maia will come in for around £20 million, but that figure might well have been higher if Lille weren’t in some financial difficulty. He actually has a £50 million release clause, but the French side can’t really afford to lose out on a sale.

Olympic gold medal winner

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 20: Thiago Maia of Brazil celebrates after the Men’s Football Final between Brazil and Germany at the Maracana Stadium on Day 15 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on August 20, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Maia featured for Brazil at Rio 2016 where they won Olympic gold, something only new signing Felipe Anderson can currently boast.

Experience

Maia is only 21 years old, but he has been good and consistent enough to force his managers to pick him time and time again during his fledgling career. To date, he has made 159 career appearances which is a solid amount of football for one still so young – and some of that has of course come in a European ‘top five’ league.

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