Over the last three days we have been running a series on the 15 South American players to have signed for West Ham and how they fared in the east end of London.
Today we look at who could be the 16th South American player to sign for West Ham with seven South Americans recently linked to us in recent weeks.
Emanuel Insua
It is claimed West Ham United are in talks over a possible deal for Boca Juniors defender Emanuel Insua.The 23-year-old left-back, the younger brother of ex-Liverpool defender Emiliano, has discussed terms with a four year deal proposed.Argentine sources say the Hammers have bid for the defender, Boca are reportedly open to offers for Insua and are prepared to listen to what West Ham have to say after previously turning down a bid from Torino. West Ham are known to be interested but he is just one of many left backs we are interested in at the moment.
Eder Balanta
According to the Sunday People West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is chasing Colombian World Cup star Eder Balanta, Hammers have sent top spies to Brazil to check out the 21-year-old defender ahead of a possible £6million bid. Balanta, who plays in Argentina for River Plate, is tipped to make a move to Europe after the tournament.
Balanta made his debut for Colombia as recently as March and has only a handful of international caps so is still operating largely under the radar of Premier League clubs.
But West Ham have been on his trail for some time and will try to do a deal once the South Americans are out of the World Cup. However, River Plate vice-president Matias Patanian has denied there has been an offer from West Ham United for the defender. iver Plate vice-president Patanian told Radio La Red: "For the moment we only know, in an official way, that Juventus are making a big effort for Balanta.Asked about West Ham, he replied: “No, we have heard what an English newspaper is saying about West Ham.”If the amount of money that the newspaper mentions is true and we receive an offer like that, then River could sit down and start negotiations as it would be close to the amount the club expects for transferring Balanta.“If the money that is being mentioned in the English media is that, then we will have to listen to them when we receive an official offer.Of course we would want to sell our players to the team that gets closest to our value.”
Gonzalo Bergessio
Sam Allardyce could make a move for another Argentine striker according to reports on an Italian website.Tutto Mercato Web claims West Ham are interested in Catania’s 29-year-old forward The frontman Gonzalo Bergessio., who has two goals in three appearances for the Argentine national team, netted ten times in 28 starts for Catania in Serie A last season. Bergessio made his Argentina international debut on 15th October 2008, playing the second half of a 0–1 loss in Chile, in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He scored his first two international goals on 20th May of the following year, in a 3–1 win over Panama. On 30th October 2013, Bergessio suffered a broken fibula as a result of a late tackle by Giorgio Chiellini in Catania’s 0–4 loss at Juventus FC. He has made 96 appearances for Catania scoring 30 goals.
Ezequiel Ponce
West Ham have been linked with the South American teen sensation Ezequiel Ponce.The Newell’s Old Boys 17 year old billed as the most exciting prospect in Argentinian football is also the subject of an Argentine investment group financial move with the businessmen wanting to purchase 50 per cent of the player’s rights.
The story first broke in the Argentinian media where West Ham was named as a likely destination. It is claimed the club want £5 million plus a 50% sell on fee when/if he becomes a world superstar.Whether he becomes the next Messi remains to be seen but £5m from our limited transfer budget seems a gamble too far for West Ham.
Jefferson Montero
According to the Guardian West Ham are close to signing Jefferson Montero by triggering the Ecuadorian’s £3m release clause that would take him from a Mexican club, Morelia, to the Boleyn Ground.The 23-year-old Montero will earn £30,000 a-week in what should be a four-year contract, having impressed the West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce, who hopes the winger can help provide the service to the club’s record signing, Andy Carroll, next season.Montero, who has played for Ecuador more than 25 times, impressed in the 1-1 draw with Argentina in a World Cup qualifier in Quito early this month when a number of scouts from English clubs were present.
Marcos Rojo
A newspaper report in Portugal claims West Ham are interested in signing Argentine defender Marcos Rojo.The 24-year-old, who plays for Sporting Lisbon could move to West Ham but the 20 million euros price tag is likely finish off any real interest. The report says Russian outfit Zenit St Petersburg failed with a 15 million euro bid in January, and Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are also interested in Rojo, He can play in central defence and at left-back.Rojo scored for Argentina in their 3-2 win over Nigeria in the World Cup and is expected to start in his country’s last 16 match against Switerland today.
Enner Valencia
West Ham are interested in Ecuador striker Enner Valencia, according to Dean Jones in the Sunday People.The forward has made a big impression at the World Cup with three goals in the group stages Valencia just 25, currently plays for Mexican side Pachuca and scored 18 goals for them before heading to the Brazil finals.
Everton are also believed to be monitoring him.
And finally the one who got away ……
Neymar
David Sullivan has admitted that West Ham made a bid for Brazilian World Cup superstar Neymar four years ago during the summer of 2010! The Joint Chairman confirmed the had made a bid worth around £16m for the then 18 year wonder kid. Santos rejected it insisting they would not deal at less than the than the player’s £28.4m release clause.Any deal would of been complicated by Santos owning just 60 per cent of Neymar’s rights and needing the agreement of an investment group should they accept anything less than the buyout clause. The bid from West Ham alerted Chelsea who made their own offer in August 2010 but were also turned down after Pele persuaded Neymar to stay in Brazil.
Neymar was born on the February 5 which is the same as the Joint Chairman Sullivan and former South American Hammers legend Carlos Tevez
In 2012 during an interview with Iain Dale David Sullivan had said:
“I believe in coincidence. Get this. Carlos Tévez. Born, 5 February. Cristiano Ronaldo. Born 5 February. Neymar. Born 5 February. All born on the same day as me. Jordan Rhodes, also born 5 February. And you know what, this other player that we didn’t sign, also born 5 February.When I saw the Huddersfield guy was the same date as me and the same date as those players, I thought it was written in the stars. Just incredible. An incredible coincidence, isn’t it?”
The other player he refers to is believed to have been Billy Sharp.
What other players were born on 5th February?
