Although the January transfer window isn’t open for a couple of months, clubs across Europe with certain needs, including the likes of West Ham and Aston Villa, will likely be laying the groundwork for transfers now.
The purpose that the window serves is to provide a frame work for when deals are completed but given the complexity of some, it makes perfect sense for all parties to be involved in ongoing discussions in the lead up to a window.
From a player’s perspective too, particularly if they are out of favour at their current club, it offers comfort that interest from elsewhere remains, with only pen needing to be put to paper at the appropriate time in order for the deal to go through.
Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, who has only recently extended his contract with Los Blancos, is once again out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu, and to that end, Sport (h/t Birmingham Mail) are reporting the interest of Aston Villa and West Ham.
The Villains might well have the edge should a deal be constructed, simply because of Unai Emery’s knowledge of the Spanish market, but the Hammers shouldn’t be discounted.
At £17.4m, the 24-year-old would represent something of a bargain in today’s market and is certainly not beyond the reach of either club should they firm up their initial interest.