The Hammers face competition from Palace for the loan of Marc Bartra.
West Ham United and newly-promoted Crystal Palace are preparing to submit loan offers to Barcelona for defender Marc Bartra, according to talkSPORT.
Barca are keen for the promising young centre-back to gain some first team experience away from the Nou Camp and the Hammers and Palace have wasted no time in showing interest.
Although Bartra only has a year left on his current deal at the Catalan club, it’s thought that manager Tito Vilanova wants to tie the 22-year-old down to new four-year contract before letting him leave on loan.
The Spaniard is thought of as a long-term successor to club captain Carles Puyol, as like the 35-year-old Bartra has come through the highly revered youth system at Barca.
Currently Puyol, Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano are all ahead of the starlet in the pecking order for a starting place in the Spanish champions’ defence, whereas at either West Ham or Selhurst Park Bartra is likely to play most weeks.
The Spain under-21 international made 16 appearances for the Catalans in 2012/13, including four starts in the club’s Champions League campaign – which saw them lose in the semi-finals to eventual winners Bayern Munich.
Since making his debut back in 2010 Bartra has played 24 times for Barcelona, although as yet has failed to prove himself as a first team regular.
West Ham are aiming to improve their squad after a successful first season back in the Premier League following promotion from the Championship in 2012.
Palace, like the Irons, gained a place back in the top flight via the play-offs, when they beat Watford 1-0 in the final at Wembley on Saturday and a signing of Bartra’s quality would really heighten their chances of staying up.
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