West Ham have reiterated their stance that they will not let Argentine midfielder Guido Rodríguez leave on the cheap in the January [transfer](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-transfer-news/) window.
For reasons best known to Hammers’ gaffer [Julen Lopetegui](https://www.claretandhugh.info/julen-lopetegui/), Rodríguez was signed with the expectation he could hold down a midfield position in the Premier League. Rumours at the time suggested the Argentinian World Cup winner was close to joining Barcelona after a successful stint in La Liga with Real Betis.
Unfortunately for Rodríguez, he has looked ill-equipped for the high-paced demands of the Premier League and has admitted he may have made a mistake by joining the Hammers. Whilst he signed for West Ham on a free transfer, the reality is the deal was far from a bargain.
Rodríguez received a signing-on fee exceeding £2 million, with significant agent fees also paid to facilitate the move.
A top West Ham United source told Claret and Hugh that the club would be open to releasing the midfielder but would demand a transfer fee to cover the costs of the initial deal.
This now puts the ball back in Rodríguez’s court, and January will reveal just how desperate he is to return to La Liga.