West Ham signing this £5.1m-rated Argentine star would be a great move to bolster the backline

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Why West Ham should splash the cash on Gonzalo Montiel

According to Marca (h/t MSN), West Ham could receive a boost in their efforts to sign Gonzalo Montiel. The River Plate defender is available for a meagre £5.1m as he wants to leave the Argentine club. Montiel is a man in demand, with Lyon, Villarreal and Roma are also said to be after his signature.

Profile

Gonzalo Montiel rose through the youth ranks of River Plate and started his professional career in 2016. Having played a bit-part role in his first two seasons, Montiel established himself as a regular starter at his boyhood club during the 2017-18 campaign.

He has gradually carved out a reputation for himself as one of the best young full-backs in the Argentina Superliga. The 24-year-old has made a total of 110 appearances for River Plate in all competitions, scoring twice and registering 13 assists in the process.

Montiel was a part of the squad that won the 2018 Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League. The right-back made his senior international debut for Argentina back in 2019 and has since amassed 6 caps for La Albiceleste.

Gonzalo Montiel of River Plate drives the ball during a match between River Plate and San Lorenzo as part of Superliga 2019/20 at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on December 08, 2019 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Getty Images)
Gonzalo Montiel of River Plate drives the ball (Getty Images)

Montiel can be a huge bargain buy for the Hammers

While the club managed to secure the signing of Vladimir Coufal, they should still look at the possibility of adding another quality player to that position. Gonzalo Montiel has been making waves with his impressive performances for River Plate in the Argentine top-flight while also proving his worth in the Copa Libertadores.

The 24-year-old still has his best years ahead of him and looks like a huge upgrade on the likes of Ryan Fredericks who is the other right-back at the club. Montiel originally had a release clause of £14.6m but the Argentine club could accept around £5m (h/t MSN).

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July 23, 2019 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Gonzalo Montiel at River Plate vs Cruzeiro, sixteen first leg match as part of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019 at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on July 23, 2019 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. River Plate v Cruzeiro – Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019.

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It may seem like West Ham don’t need another right-back but the fact remains that Montiel has a bright future ahead of him and can develop even further. He is already a full international with Argentina.

With West Ham making an assault for the European spots this season, adding a bright young player like Montiel would no doubt help in that regard.