West Ham have been linked with a move for Atalanta’s highly rated right-back Raoul Bellanova.
The 25-year-old Italy international has impressed in Serie A with his explosive pace and attacking output, earning the title of “an assist machine.” Bellanova, who can operate as a right-back or wing-back, is reportedly valued at around €40 million (£34m). But that’s where reality ends and speculation begins.
Sources close to the player’s representatives have started whispering to the media about potential interest, including from the Hammers. However, no matter how many online outlets run with the rumour, West Ham are simply not spending that kind of money on a wing-back this summer.
Whether you believe the club’s cries of poverty or not is beside the point. Because rich or broke, minted or skint, West Ham aren’t doing any big business at the moment. Nothing is moving. No marquee signings. Not even the freebies.
The incredible HOTYAaron Wan-Bissaka remains the club’s top right-sided option and he could move to cover the left hand side if needed. With Vladimir Coufal set to depart and Emerson following, there’s a need for reinforcements. But Bellanova? That price tag alone makes it a non-starter.
Unless Atalanta suddenly fancy doing mates’ rates—or someone’s found a forgotten transfer fund under the sofa—this one isn’t happening. So for now, it’s back to reality and bargain hunting for the Irons.
Is the Sullivan playbook going to see all of the potter and Macauley picks move elsewhere then he can bring in the players he wants and tell us all in the time honoured fashion that “we trie, but look on the bright side we are proud to unveil premier league proven goal scorer Callum Wilson as our new striker”