When it comes to signing one of the most talented young defensive prospects in South America, the hard part may have already been done for Premier League strugglers West Ham United.
West Ham failed to get a deal done for Noussair Mazraoui last summer before Manchester United swooped in for the Bayern Munich misfit.
Lille’s England playmaker Andre Gomes has reservations about returning to England with The Hammers, while another midfield target Youssef Fofana chose AC Milan over the London Stadium outfit. In short, West Ham United know how it feels to be given the cold shoulder by a key transfer target.
Fortunately, when it comes to Kevin Lomonaco, personal terms are unlikely to prove much of an obstacle.
The 23-year-old former Argentina youth star indicated recently that, while the Premier League as a whole is his dream destination, Lomonaco would be particularly tempted by West Ham’s claret and blue jersey.
Given that many a West Ham deal has ran into problems when it comes to agreeing terms with the player himself, Lomonaco has already given Graham Potter and co hope that a repeat scenario would not be forthcoming.
West Ham United reportedly plan Kevin Lomonaco bid
It appears that the admiration Lomonaco holds for West Ham, meanwhile, is very much mutual.
Argentine publication Cronica reported a month ago that West Ham have made contact alongside Crystal Palace for the 6ft 4ins powerhouse.
New claims emerging this week, via reporter Facundo Jauregui on X, suggest that a formal offer is now being considered for when the current Premier League campaign comes to an end.
“In June, an offer from West Ham for Kevin Lomonaco would arrive,” Jauregui writes. “It would be 20 million US Dollars.”
Or, in British terms, £15 million.
“I really like the Premier League,” Lomonaco said a few months back, thus catapulting a hitherto little-known player into the minds and perhaps even the hearts of the Hammers faithful. “[The Premier League is the competition] I watch the most.
“An English league team [I would prefer to join]? I like West Ham.”
Sergio Aguero is a big fan of the Argentine centre-back
Lomonaco is owned by Brazilian side Red Bull Bragantino but has spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Argentine outfit Independiente. He has been a regular in the starting XI, too, with Independiente sitting fifth and conceding on average just one goal per game.
He also has an admirer in the shape of legendary Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.
Amid another long-term injury to Lisandro Martinez, and with Cristian Romero hung out to dry by Ange Postecoglou’s suicidal tactics, Aguero wonders if Lomonaco might be rewarded with a place in Lionel Scaloni’s senior Argentina squad before long.
“He’s a national team player,” Aguero says, sending a message to former West Ham full-back Scaloni.
“[Lomonaco] is fast, strong. A phenomenon. Although the defence is already somewhat built, I think if Scaloni needs him, he’ll call him up.”
West Ham have been linked with Brighton’s Adam Webster, a Potter favourite from his time in charge at the Amex. Jean-Clair Todibo, meanwhile, is now a permanent member of the squad after his £36 million purchase clause was triggered this week.
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