West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a move for Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur also believed to be keen on his signature.
What’s the word?
According to Italian outlet Tutto Atalanta, the Hammers have emerged as a potential suitor for the 29-year-old, with the London Stadium outfit said to be ‘thinking about’ a possible approach for the Ukraine international.
The report does suggest, however, that it could take a fee of around €35m (£29.5m) for the Bergamo-based side to contemplate a sale, with that figure said to have proven somewhat prohibitive for Spurs.
As such, the report goes on to add that the chances of the 49-cap gem staying put are only increasing, particularly with the end to the window fast approaching.
Unreal signing
West Ham boss David Moyes has overseen seven major deals already so far this summer, although the indication is that there could be further incomings before the September deadline, with the club’s dismal start to the new season potentially set to force their hand in the market.
While the backline has been something of a concern amid mounting injury woes, the forward line has also come up short in the league thus far, having failed to score a single goal in the opening three games.
In Malinovskyi, however, the former Everton boss could well have found a solution to those attacking deficiencies, with the former Genk man offering a real potent threat in the final third.
Dubbed “decisive” by manager Gian Piero Gasperini, the £25.2m-rated playmaker – who largely operates in an attacking midfield role – has scored 30 goals and provided 27 assists in 130 games for his current side to date, having previously also recorded 62 goal contributions in 135 games during his time in Belgium.
Lauded for his “unreal” long-range shooting ability by journalist Carlo Garganese, the £21k-per-week sensation netted five of his six Serie A goals last season from outside the box, proving himself a real menace from distance.
Equally, his tally of 17 goal contributions in all competitions last term was only bettered by Michail Antonio (24) and Jarrod Bowen (31) in the Hammers squad – and level with Said Benrahma – with Moyes and co likely to be delighted to have another figure in tow who can produce a moment of magic.
The 5 foot 11 machine offers a real creative and forward-thinking presence in attack as he also notably ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues, with that figure notably better than the likes of Pablo Fornals (top 14%) and Manuel Lanzini (top 22%) – two men who currently operate in a playmaking role for the club.
With Champions League experience also under his belt, Malinovskyi could well be the quality attacking addition that Moyes and co are craving, with all the evidence pointing to a player who would simply be ‘unreal’ for the club were he to join before the window is out
