Carlton Cole feels West Ham United are crying out for an athletic, physically imposing central midfielder. And it appears that the bosses in charge of the Premier League outfit tend to agree.
While Hammers News were informed at the start of the summer window that Club Brugge ace Rafael Onyedika is the priority target, the London Stadium outfit are understandably averse to putting all their eggs in the same basket.
While West Ham United have played down those Douglas Luiz rumours – reports of negotiations with Juventus are ‘not true’ – there is existing interest in Wilfred Ndidi, Shea Charles, and Onyedika’s Club Brugge teammate Ardon Jashari, to name but three.
West Ham reportedly approached Richard Rios as well. That was before the Colombian became Benfica’s new record signing to the tune of £23 million.
But, while Rios is obviously now out of contention, do not write off another of the Club World Cup’s most eye-catching midfield talents.
Links with Nelson Deossa have returned with a vengeance over the last few days. And head coach Domenec Torrent appears to be a man fully aware of Monterrey’s place in the footballing food chain.
Nelson Deossa and Domenec Torrent react to West Ham United links with Monterrey star
Deossa, the 25-year-old Colombian who joined Monterrey from Mexican rivals Pachuca in January, scored one of the standout goals at this summer’s Club World Cup. A long-range screamer against Japanese outfit Urawa Reds.
That is one of seven goals he has scored in just 29 appearances for ‘Rayados’.
Willie Gonzalez, a reporter based in Monterrey, now tells RG La Deportiva that West Ham have made an opening bid in the region of £10 million for Deossa. Real Betis are alleged to have submitted a rival offer of their own.
And the aforementioned Torrent accepts that Deossa’s eye-catching displays means keeping hold of the former Atletico Nacional man beyond the summer window may be easier said than done.
“Look, we’re lucky to have such good players, not just Nelson. They’re so good that maybe more than one of them will have to leave, right?” says Torrent, who worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
“[Deossa] is happy here, he’s training very well. And if something has to happen, it will. The team is very well organised in that regard. If there’s a loss, there will be a [player brought in to replace him.
“But, for the moment, he is focused. If tomorrow’s training goes well, we’ll take him to the United States [for Thursday’s Leagues Cup clash with FC Cincinnati].”
Tellingly, Deossa was spotted preparing for that trip to the USA late on Tuesday. He also wasted no time informing anyone who would listen that the truth, with regards to his future, will out in the end.
“Don’t believe all the nonsense the journalists are saying, thank you,” Deossa said, a bullish riposte as the rumours swirl.
West Ham prioritising a goalkeeper with Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen the top pick
Spanish publication Marca confidently assert that Real Betis will be Deossa’s eventual destination. Marca do make mention to both West Ham and Nottingham Forest, saying that both clubs have ‘expressed an interest’.
Whether there is any truth to claims of a £10 million bid from the Hammers remains uncertain at this stage.
A source close to the club’s owners did tell Hammers News, however, that West Ham will step up their goalkeeper pursuit in the coming days.
“We are working hard on a new goalkeeper this week,” the spokesman said. “We want to get that sorted as a priority next and we are very short in that position.”
Leicester City glovesman Mads Hermansen appears the most likely addition at this stage, though Dutch Under-21 star Robin Roefs’ name has emerged in the media now too.
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