Alex Song, who played for Arsenal for seven years, returned to Premier League with the closure of the summer transfer window. The Cameroonian international completed his loan switch to West Ham. This transfer is coming as a surprise to many football fans and experts, since Song is a very high rated midfielder, and it was expected that he could play for one of the top English clubs, if he decided to return to Premier League.
However, he chose West Ham, which was the the team that came out with the most concrete offer in the final days of summer transfer window.
Song transferred to Barcelona from Arsenal in 2012. He played only 39 league games, and scored one goal during that period. He didn’t perform on the level Barcelona had hoped for when they bought him, and during the last year or so, it was clear that he would eventually leave the club, at least on loan.
During the past months, it was speculated that he could come back to Arsenal, or maybe even transfer to Manchester United, but in the end, those teams didn’t pursue him obviously, so he chose the team in which he should fit in comfortably and play constantly well.
West Ham, which is battling against relegation, and was relegated a few years ago, spent much money in this transfer window, and brought in some potentially excellent players.
Song and Amalfitano got transferred in the last days of transfer deadline, and before them West Ham added Jenkinson from Arsenal on loan, Kouyate from Anderlecht, Ecuador world cup star Enner Valencia and bad boy Ravel Morrison returned from his loan spell at QPR and he is ready to show that he is a great player when he is fully devoted to football.
Song should fit in very well in West Ham, and the team should compete for the upper half of the table, maybe even for the spot which leads to Europa League next season!
Even though this transfer may be surprising, it could mean much to Song. Barcelona, along with their new coach Luis Enrique, clearly don’t count on him, so with a great loan spell, maybe he could find his place in the spotlight, and earn a contract with a bigger club next season.
Or, if West Ham impresses and achieves a massive success this season, his stay could become long-term, and he could help them retain their (hypothetical) newfound place in the sun.
