West Ham are in pole position to secure a deal for Nicolas Tagliafico despite being rebuffed in their initial attempt to sign the Ajax defender.
A recent report from De Telegraaf has offered an update on Nicolas Tagliafico’s future. The Argentine defender is destined to leave Ajax in this transfer window, with West Ham United the main club in contention to snap him up on the deadline day. Ajax and Tagliafico have already mutually agreed on a transfer.
West Ham had initially failed with their attempt to sign Tagliafico as their four-year contract offer was shot down. But they are preparing an improved deal, with the player’s agent Ricardo Schlieper currently in Amsterdam to finalise a deal for the Argentine, who is in Venezuela to play out his international duties for La Albiceleste.
Formerly of Independiente, Tagliafico has indeed been a fantastic servant for Ajax since joining the club in January 2018. In just three and a half years, the left-back emerged as one of the real leaders at the club, helping the team famously reach the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League and winning the Eredivisie title twice.
The 28-year-old offers a lot of experience to the table as well, having featured in 141 competitive appearances for Ajax. He also has 33 caps for Argentina to his name and was part of the team that won the Copa America this summer.
Such a repertoire could certainly be useful for a West Ham side that are keen on adding some defensive reinforcements before the transfer window slams shut tomorrow. The Hammers have already brought in Chelsea outcast Kurt Zouma, but it appears coach David Moyes is intent on finding an alternative for Aaron Cresswell and Arthur Masuaku.
Tagliafico fits the fill perfectly for West Ham due to the leadership and experience that could add much-needed stability in the backline. However, one might argue that adding a left-back is not a pressing need for the Hammers right now, as they are still without a proper replacement for Jesse Lingard.
Although the Manchester United playmaker has once again emerged as a target for West Ham, striking a deal could be difficult, especially with the Red Devils already offloading one attacker in Daniel James. The Welshman is reportedly on the verge of joining Leeds United for a fee of €30 million.
It could force Moyes to look elsewhere once again. Nikola Vlasic has been mooted as an alternative throughout the past few weeks, but the east Londoners need to be swift in their approach, with less than 24 hours remaining until the transfer market slams to a shut. As for Tagliafico, it remains to be seen if the 28-year-old joins West Ham this summer.
