South America is clearly a scouting hot-spot for West Ham United this summer, with Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten scouring the continent for potential new signings.
It all started after Tim Steidten‘s trip to Brazil, and West Ham United’s subsequent move to sign Fabricio Bruno.
Julen Lopetegui has since had to look elsewhere for a new centre-back though, after the 28-year-old Flamengo defender rejected the contract offered to him.
The Hammers seem to have been far more successful in our pursuit of another Brazilian though – 18-year-old Palmeiras winger Luis Guilherme.
The South American teenager touched down in London yesterday for his medical ahead of a proposed move to join West Ham.
However, Lopetegui and Steidten still have so much more work to do this summer, with an ageing and unbalanced squad in urgent need of attention.
Signing a top-class central defender should be right at the very top of the Hammers manager’s agenda.
And there is some very good news for the West Ham fans to digest this morning…
South American star wants to join Julen Lopetegui at West Ham
So the Hammers apparently have a really good chance to secure a truly brilliant centre-back signing this summer.
The beauty of this one is that the player in question is only 23, but has already played 152 senior games for club and country.
So he is adequately experienced as well as having youth on his side.
Nehuen Perez emerged as a transfer target for West Ham yesterday (Gianluca Di Marzio).
And now, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport (print edition June 11th, page 30), the Udinese centre-back is keen to join the Hammers this summer.
In addition to that, he’s available for just £17 million – an absolute bargain in this day and age.
In 36 Serie A appearances for Udinese last season, Perez averaged two tackles, 1.3 interceptions, 4.3 clearances and 2.3 successful aerial duels per game. He made 40.8 passes per match and recorded a completion rate of 80.3% (Who Scored).
Those stats are pretty impressive, but a word of warning for Hammers fans. The Argentina international picked up seven yellow cards and a red card out in Italy last season.
He’ll definitely have to tame that aggression if he is to be successful in the Premier League.
However, he does have the basic ingredients needed to be a big hit with the Hammers in England.
If Julen Lopetegui signs Nehuen Perez for West Ham for just £17 million, it will be a great deal for us in my opinion.
READ ALSO:
Julen Lopetegui ‘in love’ with 26yo, personally asks West Ham owners to make £13m bid for him
Julen Lopetegui wants to sign 25yo striker who scored vs West Ham on his PL debut last season
West Ham to push through £8.5m move to sign 24-year-old after Tim Steidten recommendation
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
