Pep Guardiola makes West Ham transfer stance clear as Man City deal ready to go
In the January transfer window, Pep Guardiola has made it possible for West Ham to get one of their main objectives from Manchester City.
A West Ham pipe dream has already been dashed by Man City at the halfway point of the January transfer window.
Over the past six months or so, the Hammers have been frequently connected to Egyptian star Omar Marmoush.
Unfortunately for West Ham, Marmoush’s performance has been so exceptional that Manchester City outbid all other teams to sign him in January for an estimated £75 million.
The thought of signing Marmoush was not as unrealistic as it may sound now, especially when he was originally being connected to West Ham.
Especially as he had been snapped up on a free transfer by Eintracht Frankfurt – and therefore any deal represented pure profit for the German club.
Marmoush signing for Man City does have a potential domino effect for West Ham, though.
Or at least it should.
It still pains West Ham fans to think former Man City academy graduate Cole Palmer could and should be playing for them.
Both former manager David Moyes and Hammers vice-chair Karren Brady have openly acknowledged that West Ham had an agreement with Man City to sign Palmer.
Before the accusations against him surfaced and put a stop to the plans, Lucas Paqueta was heading in the opposite direction.
The rest, as they say, is history once Chelsea swooped in.
If Paqueta is exonerated of any wrongdoing in the summer, it will be interesting to see if Guardiola rekindles interest in him.
However, it is unclear how long West Ham could have retained Palmer if they had signed him. However, it may have been highly profitable and enjoyable while it lasted.
This season, West Ham and Manchester City have both significantly underperformed.
The Irons were predicted to contend for Europe following a £155 million summer expenditure.
With England on track to secure at least one more Champions League spot this season, some even ranked West Ham as outsiders for a chance at a slot.
As a result of Julen Lopetegui’s dismal campaign, Graham Potter finds himself back in football at West Ham.
Potter likes a certain profile of player to fit his style and approach.
It is therefore not surprising that connections to James McAtee, a midfielder for Manchester City, began to surface after Potter was placed on standby by West Ham at the beginning of December.
However, Pep Guardiola has made it obvious that a trade for McAtee from Manchester City is possible, so what are West Ham waiting for?
For West Ham, the midfield is a major problem.
In the middle of the park, West Ham is severely lacking in strength, agility, and cunning.
Potter likes players who can play a number of different roles and are adaptable when it comes to midfield.
Before the window opened, journalist Alan Nixon made it known that West Ham wanted McAtee from Manchester City.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, who has connections at the London Stadium, gave the assertion more weight.
McAtee is a dynamic and adaptable midfield player who is also a fantastic age at 22.
Over the past two years, he had a fantastic loan stint at Sheffield United, making 75 appearances while contributing 14 goals and eight assists.
Despite Man City’s long list of problems and injuries, McAtee hasn’t played much this season until recently.
According to reports, shortly before Christmas, West Ham began negotiations with their Etihad counterparts regarding McAtee.
The Telegraph claims that McAtee is dissatisfied at Etihad Stadium and is looking to leave the team in order to play more this month.
Marmoush, an offensive midfielder, has recently been signed by Man City in an attempt to move him down the hierarchy.
It’s hard to believe that the Hammers are taking their time, especially since other teams like Forest and international teams are supposedly interested.
Especially after an admission from Guardiola on McAtee’s future.
West Ham are looking at loans with options or obligations to buy this month.
And Guardiola has admitted he has changed his stance on allowing McAtee to leave on that basis.
“I would love him to stay, yeah!” Guardiola said.
“I was the one to say last summer NO about a loan move.
“But he didn’t play so much, so we will see what happens.”
David Sullivan, the manager of the Hammers, must call Man City and start the process.
I hope that’s the case already.
It would seem that McAtee would fit in perfectly with Potter’s aesthetic.
Guardiola has acknowledged that Man City is open to the move, and the player also wants more playing time.
It is an obvious choice that will undoubtedly benefit both sides.
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