Atalanta has reportedly slapped a£22million price tag on West Ham target Bryan Cristante even though The Italian club can land Cristante from Benfica for £4.5m at the end of their current loan from Benfica.
Atalanta are now set to take up their option to sign the 22-year-old permanently, before instantly selling him on for profit to the highest bidder. West Ham are claimed to be one of those chasing the Italian, while he has more recently been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan.
He previously played on loan at Palermo and Pescara but it’s at current side Atalanta that he’s made the biggest impact.
Having signed for Benfica three years ago, Cristante is spending the current season on loan at Atalanta and has enjoyed a fine run, scoring eight goals in 22 games – including a brace in the Europa League against Everton.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Cristante said: ‘So many people tell me: “The Premier League is the perfect place for you,” and I agree with them. ‘It’s physical, there’s a lot of tackling and open football. I can really see myself there.’
I like these links a lot better then aging expensive PL bench warmers.
Him & Pires more right direction
What do West Ham actually need?
A RB who is fit (which Bryan rarely is) as a back up to Zabeleta whom is slowing as season progresses.
A ball winning midfielder who plays the full 90 minutes. Recent games without Noble show how far short Kouyate and Obiang are as a midfield pair.
G and S have only spent a nett £70 to £75m I need 3 years so I’d be happy to see those two gaps filled and Oxford return.
Carroll and Ayew need to be shifted but let’s keep leader Collins.
I don’t get why Bilic and Moyes ate not playing Rice every game he does make a few little mistakes each game but he looks better than what we already have as for this guy and Pires both look imposing and good in the air but am not familiar with what else they can bring, we need players that are good without the ball, preferably with pace to exploit counter attacks, we need a RB and a defensive midfielder.
Agree 32 I have said over & over what does Rice have to do to earn a start he subbed in great for Noble at Stoke and at DM w Bilic. We’ve seen Obiang & Kouyate don’t work together.
I’d said start Rice in mid last game.
And I would cl Ox back but if he is just going to sit on bench or be in U23s better staying at Gladbach & starting getting top league experience
Would like to know what the asking price for Carvalho is now?.As the rumour mill starts to crank into life Swansea want 25mill for CB Mawson,Sevilla 40mill for Nzonzi and so it goes on.The money talked about is crazy but thats the nature of the beast.Liverpool have agreed £75 mill for Van Dyke and Mourinho has thrown all his christmas presents out of the pram cos Man Utd have only spent just shy of £300 mill compared to Man City who have forked out £375 mill.The worlds gone mad.
Agree 64. I love football but I think what that kind of money could do to help change the world
Was £30-£35m last time I saw but who knows.
I think Pires & Cristante make more sense for present & future then Arter & Nzonzi. Like Nonzi but won’t get him likely & if do be a lot.
I like Mawson but unless its a trade which might be w Ayew & Sahko tho I don’t like the thought of giving Sahko to a Table rival but Swansea better then Palace but France the best.
But Mawson can wait till summer & if we get him what does that say to Rice who has been great & Ox.
We have 6 CBs not counting Kouyate who is best at CB not CM & Cresswell.
Midfield needs to be the priority & prob making are squad faster & more creative.
Showed w ball handler we can defend.
Thanks for that JRS.Agreed Nzonzi is pushing 30 and i would rather keep Sakho and Use Ayew as a bargaining chip.Oxford needs to come back asap.
Have to play Sahko to keep him he might actually sign a contract if he was playing but all our CFs they are ready to sell.
And I would happily give Sahko a year contract at £50-60k plus add ons. I know a lot don’t like him bit is good rounded striker & they knew he went to Rennes.
Just hope they don’t sell all our strikers prob will except AC.
So much for Clean Slates.
64 on Ox I’d happily have him back & why get Mawson even if stays. But Rice isn’t even starting when should be.
If Moyes plans to play Ox in first team yes but if he woikd be in U23s or bench rather him see out loan & get top Flight experience starting which has started 3 now before break.
Just Mawson in Jan makes no sense to me in summer for cheaper ok. But so many CBs.
Moyes want for PL experience & British players worries me.