Reliable insider ExWHUemployee has claimed (The West Ham Way podcast, February 4th) that West Ham could go back in for Barcelona right-back Moussa Wague in the summer, after the club backed away from a potential deal for the youngster on transfer deadline day.
The Hammers were desperate for a new right-back, but it seemed like all their work and effort was devoted to getting a deal for Jarrod Bowen over the line.
The Guardian reported via their live deadline day feed (16:52) that West Ham were interested in signing Wague from Barcelona, but walked away from the potential deal because of concerns regarding potential work permit issues.
The Sun then suggested a few days later that the Hammers could go back for the 21-year-old in the summer, with a £16 million fee being touted for the Senegalese starlet.
And ExWHUemployee backed up those claims, when speaking on the West Ham Way podcast last night (February 4th):
“We tried to sign a right-back on deadline day from Barcelona. He’s someone we’re keeping an eye on for a possible summer move.”
Hammers must avoid the drop if they are to sign Wague in the summer
The Barca youngster ended up joining Nice on loan until the end of the season. And it will be interesting to see what he is capable of, if he is indeed given a regular run of games.
He only made three appearances for Barcelona this season. The youngster made six tackles, two interceptions and three clearances in the process. The 21-year-old also boasted an impressive pass completion rate of 86% in those games (Who Scored).
Wague does seem like an exciting talent for the future. But West Ham must ensure that they avoid relegation if they are to have any chance whatsoever of signing players like the young Senegalese ace in the summer.
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