Transfer Deadline Day: Alvaro Arbeloa signs for West Ham on a free transfer
West Ham have been busy on the deadline day as they wanted a striker and a defender, and now they have completed the signing of Alvaro Arbeloa to sign for the Hammers. Slaven Bilic’s side have been in the market for a defender for a long time. Marcos Alonso was one of them who has been signed by Chelsea for a fee around to be £23 million.
Arbeloa, who is a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, has been without a club since May when Real Madrid released him after winning their eleventh Champions League. The 33-year-old has been a free agent this summer and has previously linked with a move to Sevilla and Juventus. The Spaniard previously stated that he is open to a move back to the Premier League.
Arbeloa has Premier League experience under his belt as he has spent two years in Merseyside with Rafael Benitez's Liverpool. He returned to Real Madrid in 2009 after spending two years with the Reds. The Hammers earlier tried to sign Aston Villa's Micah Richards but failed to do so after ending Carl Jenkinson's loan spell.
West Ham have earlier tasted failure in their pursuit of Lyon's striker Alexander Lacazette as well. The London club had bid in excess of £30 million to secure the second highest scorer of French Ligue in 2015-16. Arsenal too had bid for the Frenchman who is expected to stay at Lyon for the present season.
Enner Valencia, who was set to join Swansea City on a season-long loan has been deemed surplus by the Hammers. Everton too were in the market for Valencia who have emerged as the favourites to sign Moussa Sissoko from Newcastle United. Arbeloa is said to have undertaken his medical at the Olympic stadium and will act as a mentor to the emerging Sam Byram.
The 33-year old who won many laurels with the Los Blancos will be a high profile signing for the Hammers which will help the latest player to be included in the England squad, Michail Antonio to play forward on the field.
Slaven Bilic was hoping for a marquee signing this summer and the manager has got one in Alvaro Arbeloa who has won all the major trophies in football.