West Ham are interested in completing the signing of Udinese defender Nehuen Perez this summer, according to a new transfer update.
The Hammers could be one of the busier Premier League clubs in the market during the summer transfer window, as Julen Lopetegui looks to make an immediate impact.
The Spaniard is a managerial appointment of intent by West Ham, considering he is a Europa League winner, but he will need his own signings in order to have the biggest possible impact.
Defensive additions should be expected in the coming months, especially if Kurt Zouma moves on, as is being reported, and it looks as though the east Londoners have a potential signing in mind.
According to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio [via Sport Witness], West Ham are keen on snapping up Perez this summer, with contact being made over a potential move to the London Stadium.
Serie A giants Napoli are also believed to be interested, however, with new manager Antonio Conte eyeing him up, having seen a €16m (£13.5m) bid rejected back in January.
Perez could be a great option for West Ham ahead of next season, coming in as a key starter but also one for the future, considering he is still only 23 years of age.
A two-time capped Argentine international, the centre-back has also racked up 94 appearances for Udinese to date, including starting 36 of his side’s 38 Serie A matches in 2023/24.
The fact that a club of Napoli’s stature are looking to secure of signing of Perez says a lot about his ability and long-term potential, and he could fill the void potentially left by the likes of Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna, becoming the leader of Lopetegui’s defence for the foreseeable future.
In 2023/24, Argentine won an average of 4.1 clearances and 2.3 aerial duels per game in Serie A, as well as two tackles per match – only Zouma (4.8) enjoyed a higher tally from the entire West Ham squad when it came to clearances.
Whether the Hammers have the pulling power to attract Perez to the club remains to be seen, but having Lopetegui in charge could certainly help in that respect.
