According to Fabrizio Romano, West Ham are closing in on the signing of Guido Rodriguez after a possible move to Barcelona collapsed. However, there is still work to do with ‘several’ other options on the table and negotiations between the player and club still ongoing.
A later report from Romano also stated that Rodriguez is now ‘giving priority’ to West Ham, with the Hammers ‘confident’ a deal will be struck soon with a verbal agreement close.
The Hammers are now set to book a medical for Guido Rodriguez today, with the contract set to be signed afterwards.
Finally progress is being made and Rodriguez’s arrival will strengthen a midfield unit that has Edson Alvarez coming back from injury, while the club decided against reintegrating Flynn Downes and sold him back to Southampton.
Assuming this deal does go through, it might signal some player exits with potential question marks over James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek.
The midfielder will be a valuable addition to the West Ham squad, providing experience and leadership in the middle of the park. His arrival will further strengthen the Hammers’ chances of challenging for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
I can’t see West Ham selling JWP in this window, he’ll be needed as one of the 8 homegrown players. Ings might be in the same position. Cornet and Soucek may well go, however.
Gotta be Soucek. JWP has the skills to work in JLo system, Tom doesn’t.
I agree, they will go if any decent offers come in. However I think they will shop JWP around. If they could get a decent price for him any incoming money might be very useful at the end of the window when teams who need to sell start getting realistic. Good time to raid the championship for home grown players.
guido and alvarez are both too good for the bench, JWP doesn’t play imho
out of possession two #6s with guido and alvarez, paq as a #10 – ultra defensive
in possession everything changes, alvarez splits our central defenders with 3 at the back, wingbacks push all the way up offer width, bowen supports fullkrug while kudus drifts centrally as the #10
paq drifts deep to partner guido as an #8
no place for summerville either in this setup, but it’s perfect for lop, ultra defensive out of possession and exceptional in possession and a lot of threats in attack
Soucek will go if they get a buyer…Sad as he is a great character and dangerous in the box but sadly that’s no enough..he is limited in passing etc so i think his time is up but i would not be surprised if a club like Everton came in for him.
32 goals from midfield over four years, is a reason to keep Soucek
We should be thinking of strength in depth, if we have 2 quality players for each position it will drive growth, progression and competition, this is what will allow us to compete at the top.
Last year we had a decent enough starting 11 but then obvious weaknesses.
JWP still has a role to play imo.
I have a horrible feeling that Rodriguez is set to replace Alvarez who was linked to Manchester United before his hamstring injury, owing to Ten Hag.
I hope I am proved wrong. If we manage to keep Alvarez we would have an extremely powerful central midfield and excellent cover for injuries and suspensions.
Alvarez could also drop back to centre back if needed as he has played there.
Our numbers must be getting close to a full squad so I expect some departures….Zouma please!
Worth bearing in mind, Alvarez and Rodriguez played together in Mexico.
It’s possible a reunion is part of the attraction?
IMHO, the odd man out in midfield will be Soucek.
two #6s imho – read my comment above
Not sure but I think Summerville is counted as homegrown as he joined Leeds when he was 19. Wan Bissaka, if he joins I think is also homegrown so I think if JWP did go, then we would be all right. Personally I think JWP could still fit into a Lopetigui system off the bench. Soucek, however, I’ve got my doubts. Difficult to see how he would fit in.
Don’t think Summerville does, to qualify, regardless of nationality, you have to have been trained at a club for 3 years between the ages of 15 – 21, if he joined Leeds at 19 can’t see he would qualify.
We need rid of soucek and jwp both are not good enough and neither are mobile , both will be sat on the bench regardless, and if we do keep them it keeps the likes of earthy and Potts out the side ,I’d much rather see these kids break into the first team .
JWP and Soucek to go Rodriguez and Fofana to arrive, that would instantly rejuvenate our entire midfield. Bowen, Kudus, Summerville, and Fullkrug would finish our front line off nicely, be bloody great to see Antonio and Ings and bring in Duran as well. Bissaka would be a great addition it’s a shame we can’t offload Cresswell and Bring in proper competition for Emerson as well. Asking too much? lol. Window has turned out to be brilliant IMHO.
Might be over thinking this but could it lead to a JWP for KWP plus cash scenario? Prodigal son and all…