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Why Diego Simeone can help Leeds complete reported pursuit of West Ham star – TBR View

Will Butcher

Tue 5 May 2020 9:20, UK

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing West Ham United midfielder Josh Cullen this summer as the Ireland cap continues to shine on loan at Charlton Athletic – and Diego Simeone could help fellow countryman Marcelo Bielsa.

that Premier League clubs Bournemouth and Norwich City want to sign 24-year-old Cullen, while the Championship’s top two sides in Leeds and West Brom are also interested in landing the combative midfielder.

Cullen, who made his West Ham debut under Baggies boss Slaven Bilic before appearing mainly under David Moyes during the Scot’s first spell in charge, has 12 months remaining on his Hammers contract – after the London side activated an extension.

Despite that contract extension, it remains to be seen if Cullen has a future at West Ham – given the club already boast players such as Mark Noble, Declan Rice, Carlos Sanchez, Tomas Soucek and Jack Wilshere.

West Ham are likely to be after a new central midfielder this summer, though. That is, despite the presence of Cullen and the potential signing of Soucek on a permanent basis. Sanchez and Wilshere have been linked with the exit door at West Ham.

that West Ham are trying to sign 30-year-old Mexican midfielder Hector Herrera, after the former Porto star has endured a difficult campaign in his first season with Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.

Signed on a free, it remains to be seen how much West Ham would have to spend to sign the pocket-sized midfield hothead. But, given Herrera shares many qualities with Cullen, surely the signing of Herrera would see Cullen forced to depart.

If Simeone sanctions a move for Herrera to move to London, Leeds – and indeed West Brom, Norwich and Bournemouth – will surely be handed a boost in their reported pursuit of Cullen.