West Ham Opinion: Hammers should swoop for Brahimi and Herrera this summer
According to The Sun, West Ham have sent their scouts to keep a close eye on out-of-contract Porto duo of Hector Herrera and Yacine Brahimi, with a view to a potential free transfer in the summer.
Brahimi, 29, and Herrera, 28, are going to be free agents at the end of the season and The Sun understands that the Hammers have a long-standing interest in both the players.
The same report claims that Mexican international Herrera has also attracted interest from West Ham’s London rivals Arsenal, who are currently on the lookout for a replacement for Aaron Ramsey.
West Ham’s interest in Brahimi and Herrera comes as little surprise given that the east Londoners are set for another massive squad overhaul this summer.
Manuel Pellegrini is likely to get rid of the deadwood in order to free up space for new arrivals and trim the wage bill, as the Chilean plans to have his team challenging for a European spot in the Premier League next season.
Reinforcements at centre-forward is expected to be high on the manager’s wishlist for the summer, with the likes of Javier Hernandez, Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll failing to deliver the goods in front of goal. Marko Arnautovic committed his future at east London by signing a new deal a few months back but interest in the Austrian might be high once again this summer.
Samir Nasri, who was signed on a six-month contract back in January, is also expected to head for the exit door at the London Stadium come the end of the season, while central midfielder Pedro Obiang also looks unlikely to stick around.
To put things into perspective, West Ham would bag a massive coup if they manage to get their hands of top-quality players like Brahimi and Herrera for free, although the Hammers would need to fend off interest from a number of top clubs in Europe to land the out-of-contract duo.
West Ham can certainly do with more depth and quality, both in central midfield and attack, and the aforementioned players will be a tailor-made fit for Pellegrini’s aesthetic football.
Herrera is essentially a central midfielder by trade, although he is versatile enough to switch between defensive and box-to-box roles in the middle of the park.
Noted for his wonderful range of passing, ability to read the transitions in the game to perfection, strength, tenacity, drive and determination, the Hammers should look at the 28-year-old Mexican as an ideal partner for Declan Rice in central midfield.
Herrera is calm and composed on the ball and contributes equally to both defence and attack with his dogged work rate, while also having loads of top-level experience under his belt.
Undoubtedly, the Mexican would add that steel and cohesiveness to West Ham’s midfield and he would be an instant upgrade on the likes of Mark Noble, Carlos Sanchez and Pedro Obiang.
Brahimi, on the other hand, is a sharp, agile, fleet-footed and technically-gifted attacking midfielder who has the versatility to play out wide on the left and also through the centre in a No.10 role behind the striker.
Noted for his pace and trickery on the ball, vision and playmaking abilities, the Algerian is adept at creating space with his exceptional close control and sumptuous touches, while also possessing the skill set to set up goals with key passes in the final third.
In other words, he has that guile and flair to make things happen and the Hammers can look at him as someone who can add that incisive edge and X-factor to their attack alongside the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Jack Wilshere and Michail Antonio.
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In Manuel Pellegrini, the Hammers have a Premier League winning manager and his potential needs to be put to use by bringing in quality additions to bolster the squad.
Having shown plenty of promise in their first season under the Chilean, it is now time for West Ham to take a step further in realising their dreams and the acquisition of Brahimi and Herrera on free transfers will do them a world of good without a piece of doubt.
