---
title: "Maripan still on West Ham’s radar – should his release clause be activated?"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2019/08/20/maripan-still-on-west-hams-radar-should-his-release-clause-be-activated/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Turk"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2019-08-20T16:00:33Z"
modified: "2019-08-20T16:00:33Z"
---

# Maripan still on West Ham’s radar – should his release clause be activated?

Alaves defender Guillermo Maripan has admitted he feels “awkward” after missing out on a move to West Ham United in the summer, but should the Hammers even be in for him?

According to reports in Spain, as cited by [Hammers News](https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/copa-america-star-guillermo-maripan-speaks-out-about-collapsed-summer-move-to-west-ham/), Manuel Pellegrini was eyeing a £15million pursuit of his fellow native, but nothing materialised despite Alaves leaving him out of the team at the end of the season.

Speaking to [El Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/alaves/20190819/464157408866/alaves-maripan-asier-garitano-liga-futbol-mercado-de-verano.html), which reports that West Ham director of football Mario Husillos is still monitoring the 25-year-old’s progress, Maripan seems calm about the situation but certainly hasn’t closed the door:

> I felt a little awkward because I would prefer that these things about transfers are resolved quickly. Today I am an Alaves player and that’s how I feel; I would like to answer \[for how long\] for sure, but many things happen in football.

### READ WEST HAM’S VERDICT

The 6’4″ centre-back was one of the stand-out performers at the 2019 Copa America, in which he helped Chile reach the semi-finals.

West Ham’s start to the season, defensively speaking, makes it seem like Pellegrini will be desperate to recruit him in the near future, but I actually disagree.

Would Maripan strengthen the Hammers’ options? Yeah, probably. But with Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena now the cemented starting options with Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid providing back-up, there’s enough depth there.

Don’t forget new signing Goncalo Cardoso too. Surely signing another centre-half to challenge for a starting spot would affect his development and chances to break into the first-team.

Once Pellegrini settles with his first-choice back four, I’m confident improvements will follow.