West Ham plotting clever El Ghazi deal after what ‘I’ve seen’ at Aston Villa training ground – ex-teammate
Alan Hutton has insisted Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi could be a “shrewd buy” for West Ham during the January window.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa defender insisted his former teammate “ticks all the boxes” for the Hammers.
A West Ham source told Football Insider on Saturday (1 January) the Irons are considering a move for the Villa forward, 26, this month.
Moyes is seen to regard El Ghazi as a versatile attacker who can spearhead the front line or play out wide.
Hutton, who played alongside El Ghazi during the 2018/19 season, admitted he does not want to see him leave Villa Park.
However, he suggested David Moyes could be the manager to unleash his full potential in east London.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Look, I really like Anwar. Not just as a guy but as a player, I think he ticks all the boxes.
“He’s a confidence player, someone that has to be playing week in, week out. You have to put your arm round him and you have to make him feel special.
“If you do that, you get the best out of them. I’ve seen it, I’ve obviously had to mark him at training. I’ve seen him there, and what he’s capable of.
“He’s a big, strong powerhouse, he can play that number nine position if he needs to, he can play out wide. A lot of managers want that versatility within a player.
“He definitely ticks all the boxes but it’s about getting the best out of him week in, week out. David Moyes has managed to do that with a lot of players.
“He seems to have the whole squad pulling in the one direction. If they can get someone like Anwar in and get the best out of him, that could be another shrewd buy.
“I don’t want to see players of that type of quality leaving Villa, I know what he’s capable of.
“But I think Villa are heavily loaded in the wide areas.”
This site revealed back in November the Netherlands international is one of three Villa forwards who could be sold this month.
The Midlands giants would prefer a permanent sale but will listen to loan offers.
In other news, medical expert reveals West Ham star out for “six weeks” and it could “easily” be far longer.