West Ham United have confirmed their seventh signing of the summer, with a season-long deal for Deportivo Maldonado's Jonathan Calleri.
Adding balance to the squad
The Argentine has become Slaven Bilic's seventh signing of the summer, with the 22-year-old expected to arrive at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park next week.
Calleri starred for Argentina at this summers Olympic Games, and has become the sixth Argentine to represent the Hammers, following Lionel Scaloni, Javier Mascherano, Carlos Tevez, Mauro Zarate and current star Manuel Lanzini.
The Croatian has brought in some significant forward signings this summer, with Sofiane Feghouli, Gokhan Tore, Ashley Fletcher and club-record buy Andre Ayew all coming in. But Bilic believes that the young Argentine will bring balance to his squad.
He told whufc.com: “We have agreed to sign Calleri,” he said “Unfortunately for him, but good for us, Argentina were knocked out of the Olympics this week" so believes "he should be here with us pretty soon, depending on the work permit."
Bilic continued: “We did the deal a little while ago, and he is a top striker," and admitted "You need a squad, of course, but it is all about the balance. I think we have a good balance.”
One more signing
It is set to be a historic season for the Hammers, with their excellent campaign last year, and moving a few miles down the road from the Boleyn Ground, to Stratford.
However it could prove strenuous, with European football a possibility, and Bilic has said that he might need one more signing, but confirmed it will not be long-term target Alexandre Lacazette.
He said: "I spoke to the chairman and said that, with or without European football but especially if we qualify, we need one more player to have a good balance."
He continued: "Maybe we are going to try and get one more but I'm happy with the squad now."
Mourinho concluded: "100 per cent it will not be Lacazette. We need a squad but I'm happy."
West Ham United will take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday, August 15 with kick-off at 8pm BST.