This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to The Daily Mail, West Ham United are interested in AC Milan’s Suso as Manuel Pellegrini looks to make further additions to his attacking options.
What’s the story?
The Hammers added Pablo Fornals over the summer but are apparently still keen on adding further creativity to the side, which is understandable given a return of just 11 goals in nine league games.
As a result, they have reportedly pinpointed Suso as a player who could solve their problems, and the fact he could be available after a disappointing start to the season may be what has sparked the interest.
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Suso has a foreign club release clause of £36m which may make such a move difficult, but the fact he is reportedly keen on a move means it is a deal which could happen.
Missing link
Although West Ham have a number of attacking midfielders in Manuel Lanzini, Felipe Anderson and Pablo Fornals, each has failed to support Sebastien Haller sufficiently this season.
They have just six assists between them and as a result the Hammers have often seemed to lack ideas in attack, struggling to break down organised sides like Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
That is where Suso could be key.
He is a great crosser of the ball and his vision could be vital to Pellegrini, with 1.6 successful crosses and 2.8 key passes per game last term. He may have struggled this season with zero goals and one assist in eight games, with fan opinion seeming to turn against him, but he has proved previosuly that he has the quality to improve West Ham.
AC Milan fan reaction wanting him to leave is evidence of that:
In 2018/19 he scored seven goals and assisted 10, and judging by his start this season Anderson is unlikely to reach those figures. The Brazilian is beginning to disappoint fans and therefore a change could be needed – with Susi providing Pellegrini with an opportunity to breathe fresh life into the West Ham final third.
He is still only 25, too, and therefore a boost in confidence and a change in scenery could allow him to return to his best form, particularly as Pellegrini is a manager who bases his philosophy on players playing with belief and freedom.
Anderson’s form is a worry, with only 77% pass accuracy in the Premier League as well as a reduction in his average key passes, from 1.8 in 2018/19 to 1.5 this term.
That underlines the improvement Suso would likely bring to the squad, and in turn it could lead to West Ham, and Haller, scoring more.