We are expected to be active in the summer transfer market addressing a range of issues Manuel Pellegrini faces with those already at the club, and Football.London have suggested who our priority signings will be.
Mario Husillos, however, appears to already be on the lookout for any further additions he can make, as Takvim have linked the Hammers with a move for Borussia Dortmund’s out-of-favour creative midfielder Shinji Kagawa.
The Japan international is understood to be on the market in the next transfer window, after finding his return to the Signal Iduna Park far less profitable than he may have hoped for following his poor stint with Manchester United.
He is currently out on loan with Besiktas – scoring three goals in six Super Lig games – but the Black Eagles’ chances of retaining the 30-year-old are slim, as it is unlikely they will be able to raise the €12.5million (£10.7m) BVB are demanding.
We are not alone in being linked with a move for the 97-cap ace, either, with Everton, Schalke and Borussia Leverkusen all said to be considering his services. However, it would be unlikely that we sign Kagawa as well as offering Samir Nasri a contract extension, which the boss has already indicated has his backing.
If Husillos is considering a move for Kagawa, it would also be outside of the hit list Football.London understands is already in place, as they have reported our priority signings are Maxi Gomez and Guillermo Maripan.
The Uruguayan centre-forward was one of the main targets we looked to sign in January, and remains on the club’s radar despite scoring once in his last nine La Liga games, which has played a key part in Celta Vigo’s relegation concerns.
Maripan, meanwhile, is seen as a good option as he can be brought in on a cheaper basic wage with higher incentive-based bonuses. However, he would set the club back €25million (£21.4m) as Sergio Fernandez, Alaves’ Sports Director, made it clear to Marca that he would only be on offer to someone who triggers his release clause.
