That West Ham were, at one point, interested in Barcelona’s Marlon isn’t really a secret.
The Brazilian defender was a target for Manuel Pellegrini, who was desperately recruiting around Europe to try and bolster the Hammers’ defence, but a deal never managed to materialise.
Marlon eventually came very close to signing for Newcastle on transfer deadline day, but his work permit wasn’t accepted, meaning the Magpies had to settle for Federico Fernandez instead.
However, what we didn’t know, and what Mundo Deportivo reveal on Tuesday, is how much West Ham were prepared to pay for the centre-back.
According to the Catalan newspaper, the last offer the Hammers made for the Barcelona player was €20m, but, unlike Newcastle, they decided to pull out when they worked out it would be hard for Marlon to get his work permit to play in England.
Maybe Rafa Benitez and co. thought they’d be able to somehow find a loophole, but it seems West Ham realised it might not be worth the hassle, and moved onto other targets instead.
Mundo Deportivo now reckon the centre-back’s best chance is a loan to Sassuolo.
