West Ham reportedly identify long-term Zabaleta replacement in Brazilian right-back

As per Italian newspaper Il Tempo, West Ham United are keen on £8million-rated Roma right-back Bruno Peres as they seek a long-term replacement for the 33-year-old Pablo Zabaleta.

The Argentine has been splendid since arriving east London from Manchester City for free last summer, but he is clearly past his prime.

The Hammers currently don’t have a capable backup or replacement for Zabaleta, who has played all but 1 league game this term, within their ranks.

24-year-old Sam Byram has gotten just a minute of Premier League action thus far, while the versatile Michail Antonio is constantly getting injured. In Peres, however, West Ham could land a long-term successor to the Argentine.

The attacking-minded Brazilian was once seen by Bayern Munich as the perfect replacement for Philipp Lahm, and while he has struggled to replicate that level of recent, nothing can be ruled out at 27 years of age.

No defender completed more dribbles (83) and shots on target (15) across Europe’s top five leagues than Peres in 2015-16, and a decent return of 9 goals and 17 assists in 128 games for both Torino and Roma suggest he would be a great option going forward in attack at the London Stadium.

Exit mobile version