West Ham United have been one of the Premier League’s biggest spenders this summer transfer window.
Julen Lopetegui has been heavily backed by the club having outlaid over £100m on seven new additions.
Jean Clair-Todibo is the latest signing after arriving from Nice in a loan-to-buy deal worth a reported £35m.
Now, attention has turned towards a versatile defender and Lopetegui has identified one of his former players as a target.
According to Sport, Julen Lopetegui is really eager for West Ham United to sign former Barcelona defender Sergi Roberto.
Roberto, who Lionel Messi called ‘one of the best’ (Barcelona official website), left Barca earlier this summer after his contract expired and has been mooted with a number of clubs since.
Arsenal were looking at Roberto at one point but that rumour has since gone quiet, leaving West Ham as one of the favourites to land his signature.
Lopetegui managed Roberto when he was in charge of the Spanish national team and evidently feels his skillset can lend itself well to The Hammers.
West Ham face stiff competition
West Ham face stiff competition for Roberto’s signature.
A whole host of clubs on the continent are set to do battle with the East Londoners including Fiorentina, Ajax, Aston Villa, AS Roma and Como.
Because of his free agent status, he is free to hold talks with all of these clubs and will likely base his decision on the best pitch.
Indeed, with the lure of Premier League football, perhaps West Ham is the most exciting opportunity at this stage.