West Ham fans will be keen to get some late summer business completed between now and the end of the transfer window on August 9th, and the rumours are still flying in. One of those rumours links the Hammers with a move for a central defender, and Aaron Long is worth looking at.
The 26-year-old American currently plies his trade in the MLS for New York Red Bulls, although Sky Sports report that the defender wants to try his hand in the Premier League. If that’s to be the case and West Ham are to poach him, it would only take a small £4m as a result of a release clause in his deal.
Long doesn’t look at all like a bad option either. The USA international recently starred for the USMNT in the Gold Cup, narrowly falling to Mexico in the final of the competition, and it seems that his performances for both his country and for New York Red Bulls in the MLS have attracted the attention of a few European clubs.
As well as West Ham, Fiorentina and Lyon are reportedly interested in the centre-back, but given Long’s desire to play football in England you’d imagine that the Hammers are in pole position for this one, and it would mark some clever, risk-free business from Pellegrini.
The Chilean’s first-choice pairing at The London Stadium is Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena, and with Angelo Ogbonna backing them up, adding Long would certainly give the Hammers another option and allow more room for rotation, and all for just a small fee of £4m.
It’s not often that players go from MLS football to the top-flight in England, but with Miguel Almiron shining for Newcastle after signing from Atlanta United and Jack Harrison playing for Leeds in the Championship after making a name for himself at New York City FC, there’s no reason why Long can’t do so for West Ham.
The defender started all of his countries games barring one at the Gold Cup, and he even chimed in with a brace against Trinidad in a 6-0 win. Whilst Long couldn’t influence the final he’s certainly made a name for himself, and after winning the MLS’ defender of the year award for 2018 (MLSsoccer.com), he certainly looks to be worth a go.
