The Marlon saga is getting slightly irritating.
First the Catalan media presented a move to West Ham as very close, and then the Hammers were cast aside and it was Southampton who were set to sign the Barcelona player, and now the pair of Sport and Mundo Deportivo seem to be pin-balling between the two Premier League clubs.
Today’s edition of Mundo Deportivo mentions Southampton, but not West Ham, and the other Catalan newspaper, Sport, mentions the Hammers ahead of the Saints.
Marlon spent last season on loan at Nice, where he meant to stay for two years. That contract was cut short as Barca thought they were close to a deal to sell the Brazilian.
Sport state West Ham would be willing to offer ‘close to €15m’ for the Manuel Pellegrini target.
On May 30th, the same newspaper reported Marlon was on the verge of signing for West Ham, for that very same €15m. The deal was presented as almost done.
On June 12th, Mundo Deportivo reported the asking price had moved to €25m, which seemed over the top, and West Ham were willing to pay around €15m.
Maybe this is a case of the Hammers sticking to their €15m guns, and Barca trying to see if they can get more out of Southampton, and so far failing.
