Talk about killing two birds with one stone: The mythical ‘player swap’ suggestion is often mooted but hardly ever enacted as two clubs involved – whoever they may be – normally end up feeing that one, or the other, has the better deal of the two involved.
Probably the highest profile swap involving West Ham actually worked well for both with Jermain Defoe heading to north London and Bobby Zamora – later the play off hero – coming to Upton Park along with £7 million.
A present- day proposal is apparently under consideration by both West Ham and Lazio that would see a line drawn – finally – under one of the Hammers’ worst ever signings, as reported by yahoo.sports:
“West Ham are considering a deal with Lazio that would see Niclas Fullkrug and Matteo Cancellieri swap clubs.
West Ham are considering a swap-deal with Lazio including Niclas Fullkrug.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are eyeing up winger Matteo Cancellieri in return as they look to bolster their wide options. Fullkrug spent last season on-loan in Serie A with AC Milan and could return to Italy in this window.”
Getting rid of Fullkrug would be a bonus on it’s won with his big wage packet off the books: Bringing in a left sided winger would be a huge boost for West Ham’s recruiters. If they can pull it off.
Cancellieri would, as the report concludes, be a top-level addition for West Ham in the Championship. If they can get him while offloading some dead-wood as well it would be the perfect deal to put a smile on Nuno Espirito Santo’s face ahead of 18th August.