Former Premier League striker Brian Deane has implored West Ham to sign Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia this summer.
This comes after the Hammers were reportedly considering a move for the Argentine, who’s also being target by Aston Villa.
Any move may have to wait until a deal for Jesse Lingard can be agreed upon or fall apart – but Buendia is believed to be in the reckoning for a move to the London Stadium.
Having secured Europa League football for next season, David Moyes will be attempting to improve his squad to cope with the demands and Deane has told Football FanCast that the 24-year-old fits the bill.
Well if they were to get him, he’s going to have better players around him. And you would think that if he’s going to be the dictator in that squad, then there’s probably no limit. It’s one thing being a big fish in a small pond, but how does becoming a fish in a pond affect your performances?
Valued at £19.8million (Transfermarkt), Buendia would represent a large outlay for the Irons – with the Canaries reportedly placing a £40millio valuation on their man.
The versatile winger played an integral part as Norwich earned promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking as champions – scoring 15 times and registering 17 assists in 39 Championship outings.
Described as ‘tenacious’ by teammate Max Aarons, Buendia possesses an abundance of attacking attributes that would be welcomed in Moyes’ squad.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Signing the Argentina youth international this summer ahead of the competition would be a huge statement from West Ham.
Albeit a position of relative strength already in the Hammers squad with Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals in situ, Buendia’s quality can’t be ignored and would likely see the ace circumnavigate the trio.
Perhaps the biggest concern would be the expenditure from the summer budget – leaving little remaining in the coffers for an incoming out and out striker.
