Manchester United stalling on Valencia contract offers West Ham transfer boost

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Manchester United will make a decision on the future of their captain Antonio Valencia in the next month, according to the Manchester Evening News.

They report that Valencia’s current contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season but they have until the conclusion of March to trigger a one-year extension, should they so want.

But there has reportedly been little movement on that front with Valencia and his current fitness problems also compound the feeling that United will let their skipper go at the end of the current campaign.

One said who may be monitoring the situation with interest are West Ham United. Last month, the Daily Mail reported that the Hammers want Valencia if Pablo Zabaleta retires in the summer.

The tactic of taking a hugely professional, experienced right-back has worked well with Zabaleta and there is no reason why it shouldn’t again with Valencia.

Of course that all depends on Zabaleta moving on – West Ham are reportedly keen for him to play on for another season – but the situation at Old Trafford seems set up for the Hammers to swoop.

If Valencia is feeling unwanted at United, the Hammers should start laying the groundwork for a summer move now and take advantage of any uncertainty.