West Ham target Guillermo Maripan happy at Alaves

Alaves central defender Guillermo Maripan is ‘very comfortable’ at the club and is not pushing for a move away.

West Ham and Milan have both been linked with a move for the defender, although his latest comments appear to show he will not push for an exit.

He formed a solid partnership with Victor Laguardia at the heart of Abelardo Fernandez's defence, although the Coach has subsequently departed the Estadio Mendizorroza.

Maripan – who is currently playing for Chile in the Copa America – is said to have a €25m release clause on a contract that has two more years to run, with Marca claiming the opening offer from the Hammers came in at €11.6m.

“I do not know if it is time to change clubs,” Maripan told reporters, as cited by Marca.

“I am very comfortable at Deportivo Alaves and now I'm focused on the Copa America and the team. I'm not thinking about that (my future).”

Maripan is a compatriot of Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini while Director of Football Mario Husillos is said to have been monitoring the Spain-based defender.

The 24-year-old joined the Basque club from Universidad Catolica in Chile in 2017 with transfermarkt reporting his value at €8m.

It has been reported that Alaves are lining up Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic as an affordable replacement.

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