Real Valladolid are plotting a bid to make West Ham striker Javier Hernandez their marquee summer signing according to Football Insider.
The report suggests that the La Liga club is closely monitoring the Mexico international, who turned 31 last month, as they weigh up a swoop before the end of the window.
Quoting a Spanish source they say that Brazil World Cup winner and club president Ronaldo is a “huge fan” of Hernandez and wants the experienced forward to spearhead his team’s attack next season.
The challenge West Ham is finding a club willing to match or get close to Hernandez’s £145,000-a-week salary, with the club willing to accept around £8m with just 12 months remaining on his contract. Valladolid, coached by Carlos Suarez Sureda, were the league lowest scorers last season with just 32 goals.
In reality, the chances of West Ham landing a replacement striker of any quality in the time remaining and within balance budget are almost zero.
Even if this story is true and a bid were made, Pellegrini would in all probability reject it as there isn’t time to find a suitable replacement.
8m bid plus savings of another 7.5m and we would reject it. We could afford to pay 100k a week to someone like Llorente who is a far better option and still make a 10m saving. I would sell the minute a bid comes in. We have Haller and Antonio and one more and we would be fine. Hernandez just does not suit our style of play. Sell all day long its a no brainer.
If Hernandez doesnt fit the system, it wouldn’t be sensible to try to rely on him, should our other striker get injured it could end up costing us points.
And yet Pelle said deals are done last minute and on the last day of the window, so yes there is still time and it came from the horse’s mouth. Trust in Pelle.