West Ham opinion: Pellegrini wants Shinji Kagawa – a brilliant move

According to a report from Turkish publication Ahaber, Everton and West Ham United are in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s midfield maestro Shinji Kagawa. The Japanese international is currently on loan at Super Lig side Besiktas but is expected to be available in the summer.

The report reveals that Dortmund are willing to accept a bid of €12.5 million for the former Manchester United midfielder and the Turkish giants are willing to fork out the money to make the deal permanent.

However, Besiktas, Everton and West Ham will face stiff competition for the signature of Kagawa, with Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke also interested in signing the Japanese international in the summer.

Kagawa, who recently turned 30, had a difficult spell with the Red Devils when he signed for them in 2012.

The midfielder, despite winning the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season, struggled to cope with United’s expectations and finished his spell there with 6 goals and 10 assists in 57 games.

However, Kagawa has proven his quality time and again for Borussia Dortmund over the years and could still do a job for a club like West Ham. His creativity and experience in the midfield can help fulfil their ambitions of qualifying for Europe.

In 200 games for Borussia Dortmund, Kagawa has scored 60 goals and provided 55 assists in all competitions.

The Japanese’s quality and vision from the number 10 position are outstanding and with Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko on either wing, Kagawa’s eye for the final ball can be used to cause serious damage.

Kagawa is also a perfect fit under Manuel Pellegrini, whose attacking style will suit the Japanese. His recent stint in Turkey has been fairly successful too, with 3 goals and an assist in 2 starts for Besiktas.

The 30-year-old, despite his age, still has at least a couple of years of top-level football left in him and a return to the Premier League will give him the motivation to prove himself again after his previous failures there.

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Conclusion

West Ham would be making a smart move by signing Shinji Kagawa in the summer and his vision in the attacking midfield role will help them massively.

The Hammers can also make a statement of intent by beating fellow PL rivals Everton for the signature of the Japanese. The Hammers would receive a huge boost to finish above them next season.