West Ham could go back in for CL semi-finalist who was ‘desperate’ to join

Lyon centre-back Marcelo was “desperate” to join West Ham in January, according to a report – but could make the move next summer.

West Ham were in the market for a new defender during the last two transfer windows. For example, they lost out to Leicester in the battle to sign Wesley Fofana, and Chelsea starlet Fikayo Tomori turned them down.

In the end, they had to settle on a loan deal for Watford defender Craig Dawson due to the extended deadline for domestic transfers. However, that was not before missing out on other targets.

One of the players they were considering was Marcelo, who reached the Champions League semi-finals with Lyon last season – helping eliminate Manchester City along the way.

The Brazilian has been at Lyon since 2017, but that spell could have come to an end earlier this year. According to The Sun, he was a target for West Ham as far back as January – and was receptive to the move.

Unfortunately, a deal could not go through. It meant West Ham had to focus elsewhere and Marcelo entered the final year of his contract at Lyon.

 

The defender will be available on a free transfer next summer, by which time he will be 34 years old. However, West Ham could rekindle their interest.

Marcelo reportedly remains keen on the idea of testing himself in the Premier League, having had a varied career that has seen him play in Brazil, Poland, Holland, Germany, Turkey and France.

West Ham may be alert to the opportunity, as he was worth £20m last time they were interested. In just six months, they may be able to land him for nothing.

West Ham chasing defensive starlet

Marcelo would add plenty of experience to West Ham’s backline, but they are also on the lookout for younger reinforcements.

TEAMtalk exclusively revealed over the weekend that the Hammers are interested in MK Dons starlet Matthew Sorinola.

The left-back is still a teenager but has already impressed in the first team for the League One side.

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