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West Ham should cash in on Manchester United and Manchester City interest in this star

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Angelo Ogbonna Obinza of West Ham United celebrates as he scores their second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between West Ham United and Liverpool at Boleyn Ground on February 9, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Angelo Ogbonna Obinza of West Ham United celebrates as he scores their second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between West Ham United and Liverpool at Boleyn Ground on February 9, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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West Ham would be wise to take advantage of Manchester United and Manchester City’s interest in Angelo Ogbonna

West Ham is going to receive a lot of interest in its star players this summer on the transfer market and in most cases, the Hammer should refuse all inquiries. One star they can afford to sell for a big profit is defender Angelo Ogbonna.

The Times reports that both Manchester United and Manchester City have taken an interest in the former Juventus defender. While he’s been a key figure for Slaven Bilic this season, the club would still be wise to sell him for a profit this summer. Selling him would aid the club greatly in their quest to hang out to more important stars like Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini.

Ogbonna has been a very solid player for West Ham this season. The decision to sell him certainly wouldn’t be a product of poor play. Quite the contrary, he’s been the club’s second best defender behind Winston Reid. The decision to sell Ogbonna should be made because it’s the right time to capitalize on an asset they can likely replace with a much cheaper alternative.

If City and United are really interested in the Italian defender, then West Ham would be wise to goad the rivals into a bidding war. They could sit back and watch the two Manchester Clubs outbid one another given their desire for a proven, Premier League centre back. The end result could be a financial windfall for West Ham.

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That type of cash infusion could obviously help the Hammers in a variety of ways. First and foremost, it could solidify their resolve to resist all offers for Payet and Lanzini. Both of those players have big-time potential and as attacking players, carry more of a premium than Ogbonna does in central defense. Lots of clubs will come calling with big offers for that pair, and without an infusion of cash from another sale, their ownership might become tempted. Selling Ogbonna makes it easier for West Ham ownership to say no on their attacking stars.

In addition, West Ham can use the funds to supplement their squad elsewhere. They would certainly want to add another central defender to replace Ogbonna, but they can do that with good scouting at a significantly reduced fee. They might even be able to pick off a solid replacement from a club relegated to the Championship for example. Of course, they could also choose to use the funds from an Ogbonna sale to strengthen their squad elsewhere on the pitch.

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Some West Ham fans will bristle at the idea that their club should sell anyone to the likes of Manchester United or Manchester City. While I understand that fierce protectionism, it would be folly in this instance. West Ham would be wise to sell Angelo Ogbonna while his stock is at its zenith. Taking financial advantage over the Manchester Clubs would be an added bonus.

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