Noel Whelan has tipped West Ham United to be interested in signing former Manchester United ace Antonio Valencia in the January transfer window.
The 34-year-old currently plays for L.D.U. Quito in his native Ecuador, but a recent report from The Athletic has suggested that he is interested in a return to English football.
And Whelan thinks that a team like West Ham will be keen on the right-back as he believes the player has the attributes that the Hammers would be looking for.
Discussing which Premier League teams may look to make an offer for Valencia, Whelan told Football Insider: “Well look there will always be teams interested in players like that, he’s a very fit young man.
“There’s not many who can do the right-back position like he has in his career, especially at Man United, he adapted from a winger to a full-back.
“He’s got the attributes you’d be looking for, he’s a very fit man so age doesn’t come into it.
“So even if it’s for a year and a half, you’ll be getting experience, a consistent player who can get forward, and can defend as well.
“You always look at certain places, and certain teams, like West Ham and I’m sure they and teams like that will be sniffing around.”
Valencia could certainly do a job at West Ham, especially given that the club have recently confirmed that their regular right-back Ryan Fredericks is set to miss at least a month of action with a hamstring injury (@WestHam).
That means that Pablo Zabaleta is currently their only fit senior player in that position, so bringing in someone else who can play that position may be a priority for the Hammers this month.
The Ecuadorian would surely provide reasonable cover, he is an experienced Premier League player having made 325 appearances during his time with both Manchester United and Wigan (Transfermarkt). In fact, last season, Valencia averaged more key passes, shots per game and dribbles than both Fredericks and Zabaleta this term, while he was dispossessed fewer times, via WhoScored.
According to Football Insider, Valencia’s current club wouldn’t demand a substantial fee to allow the player to leave so it could be a solid and cheap short-term fix for David Moyes’ side as they look for cover until Fredericks is back.
West Ham fans, would you like to see your club bring Antonio Valencia in, this month? Let us know in the comments below…
