West Ham are close to signing long-term midfield target Pedro Obiang, as reported by Sport Italia.
The Sampdoria midfielder has been on the Hammers’ radar since last summer and has since established himself as one of Serie A’s most promising stars.
And with Alex Song looking increasingly unlikely to make his loan spell permanent this summer, the board appear to have identified Obiang, 23, as a viable alternative.
Sport Italia believe the Hammers have offered €6.5million plus add-ons for the box-to-box midfielder, but Samdoria are holding out for nearer €10m, which isn’t thought to be a major issue for West Ham.
The report says West Ham are hoping to have a deal completed before the summer transfer window opens and that the player, who began his career at Atletico Madrid, is open to a move to east London.
Obiang has scored three and assisted one in 27 Serie A outings this term, and could prove to be a cheaper and more effective alternative to Alex Song, who’s form since the turn of the year as arguably led to the Hammers deciding not to keep him at the club beyond the summer.