West Ham United appointed Manuel Pellegrini as their manager in May as the Chilean signed a three-year deal with the Premier League outfit.
Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claims Sevilla were also interested in appointing the former Manchester City coach as their new manager. His decision to join the Hammers saw the La Liga outfit appoint Pablo Machin as head coach instead.
The English club appointed Mario Husillos as the new director of football in June. The report claims the Argentine has ‘got down to work’ and has already identified Franco Vazquez as one of the targets this summer.
Vazquez is a close friend of Pellegrini’s assistant at West Ham, Enzo Maresca, who is also the admirer of the attacking midfielder.
Husillos has already made contact with Sevilla and informed them about the English club’s interest in Vazquez. Also, he wanted to see if the Argentine-born Italian international is available to be sold. If yes, what would be his price tag.
The 29-year-old has a release clause of €40m and Sevilla are only willing to do business with West Ham if they agree to pay that. Estadio Deportivo also mentions the Spanish outfit ‘does not want to get rid’ of Vazquez for various reasons.
It should be seen whether Pellegrini and Husillos agree to meet Vazquez’s release clause or look elsewhere in the market. They could probably knock €5-10m, or more, off that figure in tough negotiations with Sevilla.
