Over the past few months, Alaves’ Guillermo Maripán has been repeatedly linked with a move to West Ham United, more so than any other club.
Two days ago, we carried a report from Mundo Deportivo, who explained that Manuel Pellegrini’s ‘continuity’ with the Hammers is ‘not clear’, which is why any deal from the Hammers for the Chile international will depend on the manager’s future at the club.
Those claims sounded a little shaky.
According to the Spanish version of Goal, the centre-back is still not clear whether he’ll continue with his current employer or join the Premier League side.
The player is aware that the likes of Barcelona and West Ham observed him in the 2018/19 season and is now waiting for a concrete offer to ‘think about the future’.
So far, Alaves have not received a firm bid for the defender, who has a release clause of €25m in his contract.
Maripán has made it to the Chile squad for the 2019 Copa American and the 25-year-old, who has publicly expressed his desire to play in the Premier League, has decided to put his future on hold until the continental tournament in Brazil.
“Since I was little, I always liked the Premier League. 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,” he said.
“I will decide in the future after the Copa America. Now I’m just thinking about the Copa America.”
Should West Ham push for Maripan’s signing, he will then be provided with an opportunity to able to fulfil his dream of playing in England’s top division.
