Written by: @Daena_Bodie

The 2018/19 season is over and the transfer window is upon us, which means that West Ham United have been linked with every player under the sun as the club look to build upon what most would consider an average but stable season.

With a wide range of names being banded about, from Maxi Gomez, Adrien Rabiot, and Moussa Marega to a few relatively unknown players in South America, there is one player that has been mentioned who could be a real asset to the Hammers’ current crop, Andre Gomes – and today ExWHUEmployee confirmed that the club have submitted an offer in the region of £20 million for his services.

Gomes, the 25-year-old centre midfielder from Barcelona, spent last season on loan at Everton and it must be said that he had a pretty impressive spell for a player acclimating to the Premier League. While he didn’t set the world alight with goals and assists, the Barcelona man definitely showed why the Catalonian club have him on their books.

Despite his age, Gomes has already made a combined 167 senior appearances across four clubs. Having come through the ranks at Benfica as part of the team that won the domestic treble. Gomes was quickly snapped up by Valencia on loan in 2014 before making his move permanent. After just two seasons at the Mestalla, Barcelona came calling but he found it difficult to make himself a permanent fixture amongst the stars at the Nou Camp. Despite being a regular in the Portugal squad, Gomes had to look elsewhere for consistent first team football, which took him to Everton in a smart bit of business by the Toffees.

Undeniably, Gomes has quality. He has proven that throughout his career in three different leagues playing at some of the best clubs in each and his traits could be a brilliant fit in Pellegrini’s new look West Ham. With the calmness and ability to keep possession as well as a little fire in his game, Gomes could be the perfect, and youthful replacement, for an ageing Mark Noble.

While it’s going to be a shame to every West Ham to watch Mark Noble start to play a bit part in the starting XI, a player like Gomes will provide the fluid attacking football that Pellegrini is looking for, and with Rice sitting behind him it’ll leave him free to create going forward.

According to ExWHUemployee there are rumours that the gaffer has made Gomes a top priority to join the club. As a player who was once held in such high regard by Barcelona it’s easy to see why he’s on the Chileans radar. Everyone at the club agrees that it’s time to start recruiting youthful players who have the quality, and the legs, to move up the table and Andre Gomes definitely fits this mold. With funds being made available from Obiang’s likely departure, some of that cash could be used to lure in Gomes as a replacement.

So, even though the window has barely opened it is clear that Husillos and Pellegrini have begun to focus on their targets and if they are all of the same quality as Gomes, it could be an exciting window for everyone in Claret and Blue.