In the somewhat likely scenario that William Carvalho will not be joining West Ham this summer, the club are readying contingency plans to fill that void in midfield.
Barcelona’s Andre Gomes has been mentioned as an alternative to Carvalho and the Hammers are negotiating a loan deal with the La Liga club, according to the Daily Mail.
Gomes signed for Barcelona last summer from Valencia in a £31.5m deal but the Portugal international only started 17 La Liga games last term and failed to impress.
Eager to let him leave on loan, Barcelona have fielded interest from both West Ham and Tottenham but Spurs have since cooled their interest as they turn their attentions to Everton’s Ross Barkley.
West Ham are hoping to take Gomes for the season on a free loan, paying no fee and none of his wages but guaranteeing to Barcelona that he will play at least 70% of games, which would make him an integral part of the side.
Gomes is a very different player to Carvalho, the 24-year-old is a player who revels in a possession-based side and will look to connect midfield with attack whereas Carvalho will primarily operate as that shield in front of the back four, which is arguably what West Ham really need at the moment in time.
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