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West Ham have reached a verbal agreement with Ajax over the potential transfer of Nicolas Tagliafico on the transfer deadline day.
Formerly of Independiente, Nicolas Tagliafico, 29, has been with Ajax for the past three-and-a-half years, supplying 13 goals and 19 assists from 141 outings. He has played a key role behind Ajax winning the Eredivisie title twice and them famously reaching the Champions League semi-finals two summers ago. The 29-year-old also was a part of the Argentina team that won the Copa America earlier this summer.
Tagliafico’s agent, Ricardo Schlieper is in Amsterdam to finalise the deal for the player, who can earn the Eredivisie giants around €12 million.
West Ham hope to complete the deal for the Argentinean international after wrapping up the signings of Kurt Zouma and Nikola Vlasic from Chelsea and CSKA Moscow respectively. Vlasic, who provided 18 direct goal contributions in all competitions for CSKA Moscow last season, could be in line to make his debut for the Hammers against Southampton after the international break.
David Moyes focusing on reinforcing West Ham’s defence
The addition of Kurt Zouma is a massive boost to West Ham’s defence, which has conceded five goals in the opening three games of the new season. The Frenchman, deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea, should improve David Moyes’ side and make them more secure defensively.
However, Moyes seemingly wants more reinforcements at the back after Zouma. The Scotsman has set his sights on Nicolas Tagliafico and for all right reasons.
Aaron Cresswell has started the campaign at left-back and performed very well. But he is set to turn 32 in December and will slowly lose the ability to function at the same level for 90 minutes. Arthur Masuaku is yet to feature this term having been sidelined due to a setback he suffered from a knee injury that required surgery last season. His return to training with the first-team squad remains unknown as the left-back continues to regain full witness with the club’s Under 23s.
Nicolas Tagliafico would be a snip at €12 million
Thus, the east London outfit’s interest in recruiting a left-back before the transfer deadline day makes complete sense.
Nicolas Tagliafico has been a reliable and competent performer for Ajax, excelling with his passing skills, energy and defensive acumen. The Argentinean international is a left-back by trade but can also operate as a left wing-back if required. The 29-year-old is excellent technically, can rotate possession and provide necessary support out wide.
The former Independiente star’s offensive prowess could certainly inject more thrust into the West Ham attack. He has the qualities to flourish in Moyes’s set-up at the London Stadium, as he is tactically astute, equally good both defensively and going forward, and a commendable work ethic as well. Plus, his experience and leadership qualities could add much-needed stability and resilience to the Hammers backline.
At 29, Tagliafico is operating at the peak of his powers and West Ham potentially getting him for around €12 million would represent as one of the biggest bargains in the summer transfer window.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
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