According to Sports Witness and Portu Goal, West Ham scouts attended the Benfica-Sporting Lisbon game on Wednesday to run the rule over long-term target and defensive midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia.
The 26-year-old Argentine might have been identified as a feasible January target by the Hammers, with the pursuit of his teammate William Carvalho no longer likely to yield any positive result this month.
Battaglia has been on West Ham’s radar since his Huracan days where he made his professional debut as a 19-year-old, and with manager David Moyes in dire need of midfield reinforcements, he is being looked at.
Battaglia has been a regular in Sporting Lisbon’s first team this term, playing 16 league games thus far and all of their Champions League group games.
He has only scored and assisted once, but his job as a shield to the back four has been impressive. The Hammers need a creative player in deep midfield, one comfortable with the ball at his feet and able to link up well with those in front of him on the pitch.
The ever-dribbling Battaglia fits the bill, and his defensive work-rate also makes him the type of player who could help add flair and style to the Hammers midfield.
