West Ham could do with another quality midfielder, with Pedro Obiang set to leave the club, and Mark Noble on the wrong side of 32. So should the Hammers take a punt on Bayern Munich midfield ace Renato Sanches?
The 21-year-old joined the German giants from Benfica in the summer of 2016, for a fee that could eventually rise to €45 million (£40.5 million), according to BBC Sport.
Sanches’s game has fallen off a cliff sense then, however. That doesn’t mean that he’s finished though, and he clearly still has the talent to become one of the world’s best.
So here are three reasons why West Ham should take a punt on the Portugal international…
Quality in possession
The 21-year-old is cool and composed when in possession, and he would be the ideal long-term replacement for Noble.
Sanches has wonderful vision. And that would help West Ham improve upon the fluidity of their play through the middle of the park.
Energy
The Portuguese ace has bundles of energy. His ability to get around the pitch for 90 minutes really would offer Manuel Pellegrini something different in midfield.
Potential to become great
Sanches has showcased his true ability for the Portuguese national team, albeit not recently.
And if he continues to work hard, there is no reason why he cannot become one of the best midfielders in the world.
A fresh start at West Ham might be just what he needs in order to fulfil his potential.
Having highlighted all those positive factors, however, there will still be concerns for the Hammers.
His failed loan stint at Swansea will not easily be forgotten. And his lack of confidence could also be hard to overcome.
Should West Ham be able to sign him for a reasonable price this summer, however, he might just be worth the risk for the east London outfit.
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