Amid West Ham’s transfer links to Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez, one key attribute further exacerbates the importance of bringing the Uruguayan midfielder to the London Stadium.
Notably, the midfielder operates in more of a box-to-box role; he works hard on and off the ball to both make supporting runs and screen in front of the defence as he tracks back.
That cuts a similar mould to Irons captain Mark Noble, who at 33 years of age is surely keeping one eye on retirement and his post-playing career. It is for that reason that a deal for Nandez is an optimum solution to Noble’s impending Hammers swansong.
Valued at almost £21m by Transfermarkt, the midfielder has impressed for Cagliari in Serie A since joining the Sardinian club from Argentine outfit Boca Juniors for £16m in 2018
Nandez is reportedly available for just £18m, despite having a release clause in his contract worth almost double that figure. As a consequence, he could represent a robust long-term option who offers fantastic value for money.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
His potential as a long-term replacement for loyal club servant Noble is an ultimatum which should nudge the Hammers’ board towards signing the Uruguayam as soon as possible to avoid him switching to a rival club.
His qualities have not gone unnoticed elsewhere, as he continues to be linked with a switch to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.
The Hammers will need to act quickly if they are to secure the services of Nandez; his below-value price may indeed alert further suitors to his availability. Moving swiftly for him should be a no-brainer for David Moyes and the West Ham hierarchy.
