West Ham Director of Football Mario Husillos appears to be stepping up his efforts to sign Deportivo Alaves’ Guillermo Maripan, according to Marca.
The Madrid-based outlet understand we are keen to finalise a deal for the centre-back before the upcoming Copa America, where the 25-year-old is set to feature alongside Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez and Hammers-linked Gary Medel.
Chile’s tournament is scheduled to start on June 18 against Japan, before facing Ecuador and Uruguay.
In order to get a deal done before the Copa America starts next month, Marca claim we have already placed an initial offer of €11.6million (£10.2m), but it was rejected by Alaves’ technical leadership, led by Sporting Director Sergio Fernandez, as they felt it was insufficient.
Marca go on to add that the Babazorros are unlikely to budge by much in their valuation of Maripan, as the 6 ft 3 defender has a €25million (£22m) release clause in his contract and they expect his performances for Chile next month will only increase his market value.
Therefore it will be unlikely that a deal is struck before the tournament starts on June 18, which Maripan himself accepted would not be the case in a recent statement discussing his admiration of the Premier League.
“From childhood, I have always liked what the Premier League,” he said. “I would go there, it’s a great challenge on a personal level.
“It’s my second season in Europe. I feel very good in Spain, but I would like to go to the Premier [League].
“What I will decide in the future after the Cup. Now I’m just thinking about the Copa America.”
During the La Liga season, Maripan made 23 appearances (22 starts), in which he recorded 2.1 successful tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 0.7 fouls, and won six aerial duels per ninety minutes.
