West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini has vowed to bring in a replacement for departing Pedro Obiang.
West Ham are set to confirm the sale of midfielder Obiang to Italian side Sassuolo for a fee reported to be between £7-8million (Evening Standard).
Ahead of the summer transfer window numerous reports claimed West Ham would be handing Pellegrini all proceeds from player sales to supplement his £30million budget (Claret & Hugh).
Pedro set to depart West Ham
West Ham’s net spend before the Obiang sale stands at around £30m.
But the party line coming out of the club this week has been that the well is dry.
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Fellow Hammers site Claret & Hugh cites a number of reasons for the cash shortage, including a shorter than usual payment structure for record signing Sebastien Haller.
Reports claim Hammers are cash-strapped
That has not gone down well with supporters. Many of the Hammers faithful feel the club still needs to strengthen in one or two key areas.
West Ham fans will be enthused, though, after Pellegrini vowed to replace Obiang in an interview with Sky Sports.
“I spoke with him (Obiang) last season (when he was linked with a return to Italy where he had previously played for Sampdoria),” Pellegrini told Sky Sports.
Pellegrini vows to sign replacement
“I told him that we need him in the squad and I cannot allow him to go to Italy. But if things go well last season he will have the doors open as like every player.
“(If West Ham get a) good offer and the player wants to go – not a problem, we will replace him.”
West Ham have been linked with a host of possible replacements including Pellegrini’s fellow Chileans Erick Pulgar and Gary Medel.
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