Atletico Madrid have made two marquee signings but both players have been linked with West Ham in the recent past. Yesterday, Atletico Madrid announced the arrivals of Hector Herrera and Joao Felix.
The Spanish giants confirmed that Herrera was joining on a free transfer after leaving FC Porto. The Mexico international has signed a three-year deal in the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid then returned to the Portuguese league for another big-name signing. The club confirmed Felix’s arrival and he reportedly cost a staggering £113m (as per BBC Sport) – the fifth most expensive transfer of all time.
West Ham wanted Hector Herrera and Joao Felix
But both of these players could have been wearing claret and blue. West Ham have tried to sign both Herrera and Felix in the recent past but neither deal transpired.
Herrera was linked with West Ham in summer 2018 (according to CM Journal). And trusted insider EXWHUEmployee confirmed that the 29-year-old was being looked at again as he became a free agent.
Obviously, Atletico Madrid is a more attractive destination, given their standing and European presence. But the energetic midfielder would have been perfect for West Ham if the board acted quickly with this deal.
Missing out on Herrera was almost inevitable given the calibre of the other clubs chasing him. But Felix is looking like a glaring mistake; a major missed moment.
Last summer, West Ham tried to sign the Portuguese starlet (according to Sky Sports News). At that point, he was highly rated but had not made his Benfica debut.
12 months on, Felix is regarded as one of the most exciting teenagers in the world. The 19-year-old was ‘close’ to a move to West Ham last summer (Sky Sports News) and the board will be kicking themselves now that he has made a £113m move.
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