Barcelona’s Junior Firpo has emerged as a January transfer target for West Ham United, according to reports.
The Catalan club took the left-back from Real Betis in 2019 so that he can compete with Jordi Alba for a place in the starting XI, but he hasn’t established himself at the Camp Nou.
This season, the 24-year-old has only one league appearance to his name and that came when Ronald Koeman called him off the bench in Barca’s 4-0 win over Osasuna in November.
Mundo Deportivo journalist Miguel Rico claims the fullback has to move away from the Spanish giants in January, if he wants to play regularly in the second half of this season.
Barcelona, who ‘will not oppose’ a loan transfer, have three proposals for him, including from the Hammers and Granada.
According to Rico, David Moyes’ side have ‘long shown interest’ in taking the player on a loan deal with a ‘purchase option’. However, Granada have come closest to taking Junior.
Napoli are the Spanish club’s next opponent in the Europa League, and they wanted to the Barca defender in the summer. There were also clubs from Italy and England who wanted Junior, but none of them were successful in securing Junior’s services in the last window.
The Camp Nou exit door ‘will open’ for the former Spain U21 international in the winter market. With Barca ready to do business, it remains to be seen whether West Ham will be able to take Junior on loan next month.
