da bet7k： West Ham United would rue their naive call not to offer Fabian Balbuena a new contract amid rumours Flamengo could move to sign the David Moyes favourite in 2021.
What’s the word?
da wazamba： According to Jorge Nicola, Flamengo are paying close attention to Balbuena’s situation at the London Stadium with his £40,000-per-week contract set to expire next summer.
The Brazilian heavyweights are open to the idea of signing the centre-half if he leaves the Premier League as a free agent, which would be expected to spark further interest in his services.
Flamengo are not yet putting any steps in place toward a deal for Balbuena, with the Estadio de Gavea natives currently focusing efforts toward deals for other priority positions.
Rogerio Ceni’s side currently sit second to Atletico Goianiense by three points, having allowed the fifth-most goals (31) in the Brazilian Serie A thus far this season.
Flamengo may miss out on signing Balbuena next year, as it is thought West Ham are plotting a new deal for the 29-year-old who has started seven of the Irons’ nine Premier League fixtures thus far this season.
Moyes has only opted against naming Balbuena in one of his line-ups for West Ham’s opening two games of the campaign, which saw the Hammers lose to Newcastle United and Arsenal before enjoying a run of one loss in seven.
Naive to let Balbuena leave
While Nicola notes that West Ham are expected to present a new contract offer to Balbuena before his terms lapse, it would be naive of the east London outfit to allow the Moyes favourite to leave for nothing next summer.
Balbuena has bounced back perfectly from facing a fraught future this year, after rumours surfaced suggesting the Irons were open to offers after the centre-half failed to convince Moyes that he could be relied on last season.
The Paraguayan was also said to be open to the chance of moving back to South America, but has gone from being written off and out the door to one of the first names on the teamsheet.
“You look at Balbuena, a player who was completely written off – we wanted anyone rather than Balbuena playing in central defence. [But] Balbuena has been brilliant,” Sam Delaney claimed on The Athletic’s U Irons podcast. “I can’t see how he’s going to get Balbuena or [Aaron] Cresswell out the team.”
Balbuena has become so integral at the London Stadium as the 6 ft 2 enforcer has registered more interceptions (15) and clearances (38) than any other West Ham defender, and has as many successful tackles (10) and been dribbled past (4) as many times as Angelo Ogbonna, per SofaScore.
Moyes may look for other options in the January or summer markets next year, but West Ham would be naïve to allow Balbuena to leave – especially for nothing – after his turn of form this season.
AND in other news, David Moyes would not be getting his next Tomas Soucek in a £16m West Ham target likened to David Luiz…