West Ham are reportedly eyeing a bargain transfer swoop for young Serbian winger Nemanja Radonjic, according to the Sunday Mirror (06/12/2020, p. 63).
The winger, who was previously on the books of Serie A giants AS Roma, currently plies his trade with Ligue 1 side Marseille but has fallen down the pecking order and Andre Villa-Boas’ side.
The French side are reportedly most keen on loaning out the player in January and are actively alerting top-flight teams as to his availability in a bid to increase the likelihood of a move.
According to the Mirror, West Ham are joined by south coast side Southampton in rivalling each other for the 24-yar-old’s signature.
The young Serb has struggled to find a strong level of consistency, having only managed 6 goals and 3 assists in a staggering 55 appearances for the French giants. Valued at less than £5 million by Transfermarkt, he could represent a bargain option and would almost certainly be a viable option for any parties that are interested in him.
It is not clear whether the possibility of an outright sale is being explored by any parties, including Marseille, though it is certainly clear that the southern French outfit are keen to let the winger depart.
His manager recentlyclaimed that he is ‘working to earn his place’ amid intense competition at Marseille from ex-Irons hero Dimitri Payet.
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Unfortunately, Radonjic’s record in some of Europe’s top leagues screams ‘mediocrity’.
It is hard to say whether the league alone is solely to blame for Radonjic’s form or whether it may be more niche. It may simply be that he has been stifled by Villa-Boas’ tactics.
Regardless, a loan is a far more sensible way to offset any risk in acquiring the player in which a ‘try-before-you-buy’ attitude could be adopted.
It would be likely that the winger would be more of a peripheral rotational option at the London Stadium were the Hammers to make their move.
