At long last, Jonathan Calleri’s move to West Ham can finally be confirmed. Despite the club announcing the deal last week, the Guardian claim that the deal was still not complete due to the player not having a visa, until this week and the deal has now been completed after the striker came to London once Argentina’s Olympics participation came to an end following defeat to Portugal and a draw against Honduras saw them fail to qualify from their group.
The signing of Calleri is a major coup, with the likes of Inter Milan and Barcelona said to have been interested in the prolific striker. With experience at São Paulo and Boca Juniors, he has played for some of the biggest clubs in South America and will now test himself in Europe. With 12 goals in 17 games last season, the 22-year-old will be hoping to replicate that form for Slaven Bilic where he will most likely have to prove his abilities if he is not to start his Hammers career from the bench.
Achraf Lazaar could also be joining Calleri as he becomes the latest man to be linked with the club, this time by France Football. It comes as a surprise that the club continues to be linked with another left-back, having already signed Arthur Masuaku as cover for Aaron Cresswell, but the Palermo defender is still being monitored by Slaven Bilic according to reports in France, with Marseille also interested.
It seems hugely unlikely that the Hammers will make a move for the Moroccan international now, unless another injury happens. Whilst the Irons do look thin on defensive options, that problem will be eased when Cresswell returns for the second half of the season, and three left backs would not provide the balance the team needs, nor would it make financial sense for further investment in this area.
Reece Oxford has also given the club another massive boost, by informing bosses that he is happy to remain at the club and will consider an offer of a new contract, report the Express. Having experienced increased game time, playing the full 90 minutes in victory over NK Domzale in a Europa League qualifier and being on the bench in defeat at Chelsea, Oxford now expects to play a greater role in the Irons season and does not expect to receive such treatment at either of the Manchester clubs should he make the move and so at just 17 years of age, he favours his chances remaining at the London Stadium.
Oxford is a huge talent and is likely to play a more important role this season. Following the departure of James Tomkins, Oxford is expected to take a step up and continue his development with more Premier League minutes in the 2016/17 season. With huge potential, it will be interesting to see just how far Oxford can go in his career, and this temporary halt to speculation is unlikely to last long.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Felix Ursell.