£3.5 million deal for Fabian Balbuena looks an absolute bargain for West Ham

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West Ham United have finally started to live up to many people’s pre-season predictions regarding their summer business. The Hammers initially struggled to find form after the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini and several big-money signings.

But they have looked impressive since the international break. An 8-0 thrashing of Macclesfield in the League Cup has been backed up by 3-1 wins over Everton and Manchester United. They also held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw.

But whilst the big money arrivals like Issa Diop, Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson finally clicking has been a major factor, one of their bargain recruits deserves huge credit.

Fabian Balbuena has been in sensational form in recent weeks.

The Paraguayan arrived at the club from Corinthians this summer in a deal worth around £3.5 million – according to the Evening Standard.

Even when West Ham were struggling at the start of the season, Balbuena was one of the better performers in the Hammers team.

That form has now continued, forming a good partnership with fellow new signing Diop in the West Ham back-line.

Whilst many of West Ham’s recruits were well known names, Balbuena was the under-the-radar recruit. However, he has been the most consistent. Considering the Hammers had to pay Toulouse a fee reported to be in the region of £22 million for Diop, the magnitude of West Ham’s bargain must be clear.