Why West Ham should beat Fulham and Newcastle to sign Ibrahim Amadou
According to Spanish source El Mundo Deportivo, Premier League’s struggling duo Fulham and Newcastle United are interested in signing Sevilla midfielder Ibrahim Amadou.
The report states that the 25-year-old Frenchman has caught the eye of the Premier League clubs with his impressive performance at the base of the midfield in Sevilla’s 2-0 victory over Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey.
A youth product of Nancy, Amadou tasted commendable success with Lille in Ligue 1 before shifting bases to La Liga with Sevilla last summer. However, he hasn’t been able to establish himself at his new club due to recurrent injuries, which has limited his involvement to only a couple of starts in the La Liga this term.
Primarily a defensive midfielder by trade, the 25-year-old is also capable of playing as a centre-back due to his physicality and game reading ability.
Known for his strength, tenacity, work-rate and defensive abilities, Amadou is a hard-working footballer who likes to occupy a deep position in the midfield in front of the back four. Not only does he have the skills to cut out the attacks with crucial tackles and interceptions, but he is also known for his positional sense, occupying the half spaces between the full-backs and the centre-backs to keep close tabs on the opposition’s No.10.
Furthermore, he is known for his good range of passing and excels with his distribution, providing the vital link between defence and attack.
To put things into perspective, Ibrahim Amadou would be a good signing for both Newcastle and Fulham but West Ham could bag a massive coup if they can beat their Premier League rivals to the signature of the midfielder.
The Hammers currently sit 10th in the standings and they have a chance to finish in the top eight, provided they remain consistent in the second half of the season. Manuel Pellegrini has had a tough time contending with injuries in midfield.
The East Londoners still have some of their summer recruits, including the likes of Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez, on the treatment table.
Declan Rice, who has been one of the revelations of the Premier League this season, has been the only ever-present name in the midfield. Mark Noble has given him company but West Ham face the risk of a potential burnout of options should either of their first-choice central midfielders be sidelined.
Ibrahim Amadou has shown enough promise in the French and Spanish top flight. He can certainly replicate his success in the Premier League as well. That said, the Hammers should make an enquiry about the player as soon as possible and table a bid to land him before the transfer deadline.
