After selling Pedro Obiang to Serie A club Sassuolo for £7.2million last month, West Ham United fans have been calling for a new midfield signing to replace the 27-year-old, and there’s one man on the vast majority’s tongues.
Twitter: santiago ascacibar has to be the priority for #whu before the end of the window:
– 23 y/o combative holding midfi… https://t.co/0YxGFns2l0 (@JoeBarnbrook)
Twitter: Gonçalo Cardoso
Albian Ajeti
Santiago AscacibarA huge long shot to sign them all, but if we did, our sq… https://t.co/NyTsRXjh9a (@onetwoWestHam)
Twitter: Get me Ascacibar now!!! @WestHamUtd https://t.co/h4JFQmdzbq (@Samcam06)
Santiago Ascacibar has been linked with the Hammers already this season and supporters believe he’s the man to take Obiang’s place in midfield after he impressed as part of a lacklustre Stuttgart team last season.
The 22-year-old has four Argentina caps to his name as well as 109 club appearances, and if statistics are anything to go by he’d certainly act as an upgrade on Obiang.
Read West Ham’s verdict
Last season, Ascacibar topped Obiang in tackles, interceptions and clearances per game, and that’s just defensively.
The South American also showcased more key passes, shots and dribbles per game, so you can see why he’s so eagerly desired by West Ham fans.
With Declan Rice, Mark Noble and Carlos Sanchez as Manuel Pellegrini’s holding midfielders in a 4-1-4-1 system, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if a new man didn’t arrive.
However, with injuries in mind and the fact that Pellegrini could switch to a 4-2-3-1 if needed, his fellow Argentine could be a perfect fit for if Noble needs a rest.
Time is running out for the Hammers to complete a deal, but it’d be very well-received indeed if Ascacibar arrives at the London Stadium this summer.
