Assistant boss Kevin Nolan may have the solution to Fabian Balbuena’s impending departure and it could save West Ham United millions.
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Balbuena has been a peripheral figure this season and his contract expires in the summer.
But the Paraguayan was part of the side that laid the bedrock for what promises to be West Ham’s best season for 35 years.
And many West Ham fans were disappointed when Balbuena’s agent admitted he will leave the club.
Balbuena set to leave West Ham after agent’s admission
Renato Bittar told Versus Radio that several teams are interested in the West Ham defender.
“We are talking with several teams but nothing in particular, there are several options for Fabian,” Bittar told Versus Radio.
“For now, he will not continue at West Ham, but he will continue in Europe.”
Although West Ham have barely used Balbuena of late, his departure would leave Moyes with a predicament next season.
Angelo Ogbonna has been immense but turns 34 at the end of next season.
Winston Reid has no future at the club.
So Balbuena’s departure would leave just Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Issa Diop as first choice centre backs.
Nolan backs Alese for first team after young star pens contract
Hammers assistant Nolan may have the answer, though, in the shape of Aji Alese.
The young centre-back has signed a deal keeping him with the club until 2023 – with the option of another year.
And speaking to West Ham’s official website, Nolan says he believes Alese, 20, has a future in the first team.
“It’s fantastic that Aji has become the latest young player to commit his future to the club,” Nolan told whufc.com.
“He is one of a talented group we hope will go on to break through and establish himself in the first team in the future.
“I’m looking forward to working more often with Aji in the future. He’s a local boy from east London, which is such a big thing for this club and our fans, and I can see how much it means to him to be here.
Alese could save West Ham millions on Balbuena replacement which can be put to use elsewhere
“He has a lot of hard work in front of him, and a long way to go, but I’m sure he will give it 110 percent to get to where he wants to be.”
Alese would learn so much being in and around the first team squad as fourth or fifth choice next season.
And he has already showed he has the ability when he played in West Ham’s 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Hull earlier this season.
West Ham fans love nothing more than seeing one of their own graduate to the first team.
Alese could be next and might save Moyes precious millions which can be better spent elsewhere.