BBC journalist shares what he’s been told about West Ham United Deadline Day transfers at London Stadium
It is expected to be a quiet transfer deadline day for West Ham at London Stadium amid push to sign a new attacking transfer, according to Simon Stone.
The Hammers could well see Said Benrahma, Maxwel Cornet and Pablo Fornals leave the club before Thursday’s deadline and have been eyeing potential replacements in Al Ittihad forward Jota and FC Nordsjælland winger Ibrahima Osman.
The former Celtic winger was an alternative option for David Moyes’ side following a deal for Ibrahim Osman from Nordsjaelland collapsing on Sunday 28 January. [Florian Plettenberg]
Stone shared on the BBC’s live Deadline Day update (1 February) that it is expected to be a quiet one for David Moyes and the club though some outgoings are expected.
He wrote: “West Ham are being linked with a lot of potential deals but I am told it is expected to be quiet at London Stadium.
“Said Benrahma should complete a loan to Lyon and there is interest in Pablo Fornals but whether anything materialises is another matter.
“Maxwel Cornet was linked with Nottingham Forest earlier in the week and now Crystal Palace have been mentioned.
“It will be interesting to see if someone comes up with an acceptable offer. Cornet was excellent at Burnley but it just hasn’t happened for him with the Hammers.”
Please sign
West Ham are in serious danger of finishing the January transfer window with more outgoings than new signings, with Benrahma and Fornals still looking at moves away from London Stadium.
The Hammers have proven that they are in desperate need of more depth, especially in the attacking department, after Danny Ings, Maxwel Cornet and Benrahma deputised in the absence of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus.
Although Bowen and Kudus have returned to the squad, there is still the second half of the season still left to play, which could involve several key injuries as West Ham aim for the top four in the Premier League and Europa League success.
Jota could have been a solid solution to combat that issue at London Stadium, capable of deputising on either flank in attack.
With deals falling through for Jota and Osman now, and the deadline fast approaching, Moyes could be strapped for options after the window closes.
If the club want to challenge on all fronts, they would need to bring in a replacement for Benrahma and Fornals and Stone’s update certainly doesn’t throw up any encouragement within the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers want to seal a loan for a new forward as a “hitch” emerges, according to Jacob Steinberg.
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