According to a report from Italian media outlet Tutto Mercato Web, West Ham are interested in signing free agent Ignazio Abate.
The 22-capped Italy international was released by AC Milan in the summer, and has been without a club since.
The 33-year-old right-back is vastly experienced, having made 448 career club appearances (Transfermarkt).
The Hammers could certainly do with more competition and quality in the right-back department. Pablo Zabaleta is not the player he once was and he is leaving in the summer anyway.
Ryan Fredericks, meanwhile, has failed to live up to expectations since joining West Ham on free transfer from Fulham in the summer of 2018.
In fact, the 27-year-old has been somewhat of a liability.
But is Abate the man for the job at the London Stadium?
At 33, the Italian is clearly in the twilight years of his career. And Hammers fans will be wary of that, with the club having signed ageing stars who are well past their best in recent history. You need look no further than Carlos Sanchez, Alvaro Arbeloa, Samir Nasri and Jose Fonte.
Abate hasn’t played since May 2019 either. So he would surely be well off the pace in the Premier League if he were to join West Ham now.
The Italian did rack up decent stats for Milan last season, however. In 19 Serie A outings, he averaged 1.8 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.2 clearances per game. He also had an impressive pass completion rate of 83.7% (Who Scored).
If the Hammers plan to sign him as a short-term option and to provide cover and competition for Fredericks, it might not be a bad option for them.
In no way should he be in their plans for next season, however. If West Ham want to make genuine progress, they need to make a big money move for a top class right-back in the summer. Someone like Max Aarons or Joakim Maehle would do nicely.
Abate certainly isn’t the long-term answer.
Considering he’s available on a free transfer, however, he could be a decent addition for the Hammers between now and the end of the season.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
