Harri Burton

Wed 7 February 2024 9:35, UK

Brighton are closing in on a deal to sign West Ham-linked Ibrahim Osman from Nordsjaelland ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Mike McGrath.

The Daily Telegraph journalist reported [7 February] that the Seagulls have acted upon their long-standing interest in the young forward amid a formal bid from West Ham during the January transfer window.

It is understood, as per David Ornstein, that Brighton have agreed to a £16.6million deal to sign the Ghanaian winger, having completed a medical ahead of a summer transfer.

West Ham set to rue missed transfer

The Hammers were extremely close to finding an agreement for Nordsjaelland’s Osman during the January transfer window until a deal fell through in the closing stages.

That was a constant theme at London Stadium throughout the month, with Al Ittihad’s Jota another example of a potential deal falling through at the last moment.

Because of this, David Moyes’ squad is down to the bare bones, especially after the departures of Pablo Fornals to Real Betis and Said Benrahma to Lyon.

The missed opportunity to sign Osman will only be rued by West Ham if injuries begin to strike again. With Moyes unable to choose from Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta at one point in the first half of the season, form dipped significantly.

However, two of the three aforementioned stars are back to full fitness and are beginning to carry the West Ham attacks forward again. Though Maxwel Cornet is not as high-quality a replacement as many would have hoped for, he is a decent option to have on the bench.

That will be as close as most Hammers fans will want him to the starting XI, but Osman could have been an exciting prospect pushing the other players to perform amid a challenge for spots in the squad.

In other West Ham news, another Said Benrahma issue has emerged.

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