Patient West Ham have a cunning plan to win the race for Argentine star Matias Soule it is being reported in Italy.
It is sometimes said that no news is good news and West Ham will be hoping that’s the case when it comes to Matias Soule.
After a flurry of speculation surrounding a West Ham move for the Juventus fringe player, things have gone quiet over the last week or so.
In their quest for another young, versatile attacking star who can play off the left, West Ham have reportedly set their sights on Juventus-owned star Soule.
The 21-year-old Argentine was officially one of the top attackers in Serie A last season while on loan at Frosinone.
Soule is a dangerous, skilful operator likened to Angel Di Maria. He can play in a variety of positions across the attacking line, including off the left.
Hammers still want new Di Maria
West Ham do have ‘concrete interest’ in Soule.
That rapidly developed into official talks as West Ham held a meeting with Soule’s agent in London.
It’s been claimed multiple times the Hammers are the club most serious about signing Soule with Juve looking to offload him to help fund moves for other players.
But an £8-10m gap in valuations between the £20m West Ham are willing to pay for Soule and what Juve want has been an issue.
Things looked to be moving towards a rapid conclusion when Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli took matters into his own hands by trying to get a deal agreed with West Ham.
Earlier this month journalist Jacob Steinberg claimed Soule is one of three targets the Hammers want after Max Kilman.
While West Ham’s focus was on getting Kilman in the door, though, the likes of Roma, Leicester and Crystal Palace emerged as serious contenders for Soule.
Patient West Ham have cunning plan to win race for Soule
It has even been reported that new Juve boss Thiago Motta is happy to keep the attacker.
But patient West Ham have a cunning plan to win the race for Argentine star Soule.
That’s according to reports emerging from Italy.
West Ham have been made aware that Juventus need to sell Soule to raise funds and satisfy FFP.
But the Hammers are also acutely aware that Motta has told his bosses he does not want to see the player sold to a rival Serie A team.
Given technical director Tim Steidten has already held talks with Soule’s agent, it is safe to assume West Ham’s continued interest – confirmed by La Gazzetta dello Sport – is being encouraged on the player’s side.
So West Ham know they have the will of the player.
All they need to do is get Juve to accept a much lower bid than their reported £30m plus valuation.
Another Steidten masterclass in session?
Steidten and the West Ham hierarchy believe waiting is the best way to do just that.
La Gazzetta claims the Irons are going to wait and launch a bid for Soule as soon as it becomes clear he is on the verge of being sold.
That is in the hope that Juve will be desperate for cash by then and therefore willing to sell him at a reduced price to a Premier League club.
The report claims Juventus want to use the Soule money to fund their bid for Karim Adeyemi.
So it is worth keeping an eye on developments with the Dortmund outcast as it will be intrinsically linked to any West Ham move for Soule.
In the meantime West Ham will clearly ask to be kept informed of any developments so they can decide whether to throw their hat in the ring should it look like Soule might go elsewhere.
Signing a striker is West Ham’s current top priority.
Another centre-back, a full-back and a central midfielder is also in the club’s plans as well as an attacking player like Soule.
But patience may be key to another Steidten masterclass it seems.
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