Whilst I was a little nervous reading of a further Spanish Import being on Julen Lopetegui’s radar, as I delved into the detail the player concerned became quite an exciting prospect – and the circumstances around this rumoured transfer became clearly a ‘double win’ for West Ham.
The midfield player in question is very highly-rated Real Sociedad attacking midfield, first team, high performing 27 year old Brais Méndez. Take a look at his highlights videos on youtube, whilst everyone can look good on a ‘highlights’ reel, he seems to have both a ‘Soucek-like’ ability to arrive late in the box AND he has pace and can pick a pass.
The fichajes.net report this morning – concerning Sociedad having to decide about selling their prized midfielder – misses the glaringly obvious fact that sitting at Real Sociedad, much coveted and praised, is on-loan ( and desperate to never return!) West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd who has been an ever present in the Sociedad defence this year : By Sociedad’s own admission, Aguerd has been a revelation and they’d love to sign the Moroccan permanently but apparently ‘cannot afford’ him.
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Well, there’s a deal to be done there for even the most ham-fisted of negotiators.
Fichajes state: “Brais Méndez, an undisputed figure at Real Sociedad, could be living his last months in San Sebastián. West Ham, managed by Julen Lopetegui, has set its sights on the talented Galician midfielder as a priority for the upcoming winter transfer market.”
A fast, 27 years old attacking midfielder priced (transfermarkt) at €40 million could give West Ham Wiings in midfield without breaking the bank, plus a very relieved Nayef Aguerd departing permanently the other way: What’s not to love. Apart from his resemblance to Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. But nobody’s perfect.
I’m struggling to trust fully Julen Lopetegui’s judgement on this one though, after all he was the man who brought us Guido Rodriguez and Carlos Soler. Enough said.