Opinion: West Ham need to sign £15k-a-week star they saw bid rejected for this summer in January

West Ham United should jump back into the market for Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles following reports from the Daily Mail of a training ground bust-up.

What’s the word?

Manuel Pellegrini made nine signings in the summer after being appointed the new West Ham manager.

Two of his new arrivals – Fabian Balbuena and Issa Diop – were recruited to improve the defence.

However, three games in the Premier League season and the East London outfit are still having problems at the back.

Over in the North-East of England, there are rumblings of discontent surrounding one of Newcastle United’s key defenders.

Lascelles, who reportedly earns £15,000-a-week at St James’ Park, was left out of Rafael Benitez’s squad against Chelsea due to injury, but according to the Daily Mail, the 24-year-old has had an issue with the manager’s tactics.

It is also believed that the centre-back had a training-ground bust-up with teammate Matt Ritchie, who took an issue with Lascelles’ criticism of Benitez’s formation.

Why should this interest West Ham?

In July, Sky Sports reported that the East London outfit had failed with a £25m offer to sign Lascelles in the summer.

The defender is not only Newcastle’s club captain but one of their best players, so it is understandable that they rejected West Ham’s advances.

If there is truth in the rumours of a bust-up then it could work in the Hammers’ favour come January.

Of course, a lot will depend on the situation at that time, but if Lascelles is unsettled then it could be the perfect time to swoop.

It is clear that West Ham still need a bit of work to improve the defence, and the Newcastle skipper could be the saviour.

from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/2C3HGCp