After a solid first season last year, Manuel Pellegrini has quickly continued rebuilding his West Ham side this summer.
There have already been several incomings, with the likes of Pablo Fornals and Sebastien Haller improving the group considerably. It now seems the Chilean is focusing on his defence.
Diario OK report that the Hammers have turned their attention to Alaves defender Guillermo Maripán and have already submitted bids for the centre back.
Their first offer of €11.6m was rejected earlier this summer, even though Alaves denied contact, and they’ve returned with an offer of €15m.
Diario think that figure is one the La Liga side could accept, despite the fact it is €10m short of the player release clause.
Maripan also seems keen on the move, having previously stated that he would like to play in the Premier League, while his agent has said they want a club “that aspires to play European cups.”
At this point, the newspaper doesn’t state if there are any competitors for the Hammers, although his agent is quoted as saying there are two offers, so that suggests there is another interested party somewhere.
It’s a move that makes sense as well. West Ham’s centre back options aren’t particularly great, and Maripan is presumably a player Pellegrini knows well given he’s Chilean and plays in La Liga, both markets the manager knows well.
