McCarthy would be a better January signing for West Ham than Medel

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West Ham United are planning a loan move for Everton midfielder James McCarthy this month, according to the Daily Mail.

They report that the Republic of Ireland international is not part of Marco Silva’s immediate plans following his recovery from a leg break last January and that Fulham and West Brom are in the hunt.

But report from Turkey claim that that the Hammers are edging closer to landing Besiktas midfielder Gary Medel, amid financial insecurity at the club.

The long-term injury to Carlos Sanchez has seemingly left Manuel Pellegrini searching for a combative defensive midfielder to add to his squad this month.

If it does come down to a straight fight between McCarthy and Medel – West Ham surely don’t need both – then it is the former Wigan man who should win out.

He is younger than Medel and will be hungry to reassert himself in the top flight after a nightmare 2018. On top of that, he would be a less risky signing, coming in on loan.

Medel has had a good career and did reasonably well in the Premier League for Cardiff but West Ham need to move on for swoops for high-earning, ageing players in his mould.