West Ham have been handed a potential boost in their interest in Barcelona full-back Junior Firpo.
The right-back, who can also play left-back, has struggled to make an impact at Camp Nou since his £27.5m switch from Real Betis in 2019 and it appears the Spanish giants are now keen to cash-in on the 24-year-old.
The Hammers and AC Milan are reported to be the two clubs most interested in signing him this summer but, in what could work in favour of the Hammers, the Serie A side are currently only interested in a loan deal, as reported by Calcio Mercato, via Football Italia.
Barcelona need the cash due to ongoing financial troubles, so a loan doesn’t suit them, and West Ham could be free to pay for him outright if our interest is concrete.
With Aaron Cresswell now 31, David Moyes will be looking around for a potential heir to the Hammers veteran and as Firpo can play either side of the defence, he does represent a very interesting prospect.
It will of course be interesting to see how this story develops but if we are indeed offered the chance to buy Firpo then surely it’s a no-brainer, depending on the fee Barcelona are asking for.
Firpo was once labelled as a wonderkid before his switch to Barcelona, and was once linked with the likes of Manchester City, but he has struggled to so far to fulfil that potential, and a switch away from Spain and into the Premier League could be what he needs to resurrect his abilities as a very promising full-back.
