Could Gylfi Sigurdsson move from Swansea to West Ham this month?

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham have faced a difficult week amidst the rumours about Dimitri Payet’s future and they will now have to source possible replacements for the Frenchman as it looks likely that they will be forced to sell him. The difficulty of the transfer window in January is that selling clubs are less willing to lose their key players. West Ham may have to pay over the odds to sign a replacement, which in turn will increase the price tag of Payet. The Daily Express report that they could be targeting Gylfi Sigurdsson to replace their influential Frenchman.

What would Sigurdsson bring to West Ham?

The Icelandic star has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League over the last few seasons. He is best known for his ability to chip in with crucial goals. Sigurdsson possesses a powerful strike from range, while also showing intelligent movement to create space for himself and his team-mates. As well as his goal-scoring, Sigurdsson is capable of dictating the tempo and playing defence-splitting passes to create opportunities for his team-mates. He is capable of playing in central midfield, or on the wing, but his best position is the number ten role as he can influence matches most successfully from there.

Sigurdsson is already adapted to the Premier League and would be able to come straight into the West Ham side, which they will need if they sell Payet. There has always been a feeling that the Icelandic international should be a playing for a better club than Swansea, with his time at Spurs being less successful due to lack of opportunities rather than poor performances. He will be eager to prove himself at a bigger club and considering Swansea’s struggles, it could now be the time to move on.

How likely is it?

It is going to be difficult for West Ham to convince Swansea City to sell their best player considering the Welsh club are firmly in the relegation battle. The Hammers have already failed with derisory bids for Robert Snodgrass and Jermain Defoe who are playing for clubs in similar positions to Swansea. If they submit a similar offer for Sigurdsson, it could make it difficult for them as it instantly begins discussions on the wrong foot. They will probably need to pay upwards of £20 million for Sigurdsson and it could be considerably more if Swansea decide to dig their heels in, which is likely as the midfielder is their standout player.

Swansea won’t want to sell Sigurdsson in this window, but he deserves to play for a club that isn’t battling relegation and a summer departure could be likely. There is other interest in the midfielder, from sides such as Everton and if teams begin to bid for him, that interest is only likely to increase. The last thing Swansea need is to lose Sigurdsson and I think that the midfielder himself will want to leave the Welsh club on a good note with survival. It is difficult to see him leaving in this window.

3/10 – Maybe a summer move, but Swansea won’t sell him this month.