London Medical: Pablo Fornals to sign long-term contract to quit West Ham United today
Pablo Fornals is now set to undergo a medical in London ahead of finalising his West Ham exit to Real Betis, according to David Ornstein.
The Athletic journalist reported via Twitter on 1 February that the 27-year-old has a five and a half year contract waiting for him in La Liga after a fee of €8million [£6.8m] was agreed between the clubs.
Ornstein wrote: “Real Betis reach agreement with West Ham United to sign Pablo Fornals. Real Betis will pay WHUFC fee of €8m for 27yo attacking midfielder.
“Spaniard to undergo medical in London ahead of finalising Deadline Day transfer on 5.5yr contract.”
The fan-favourite is set to be joined by fellow attacker Said Benrahma in leaving the club on the final day of the window.
Clock ticking
At this stage of the day there presumably isn’t time for Fornals to fly to Seville and then get a medical done so the pressure is on for him to pass one in the UK and get everything sealed before the deadline.
The money involved seems to be reducing with every update, and since the club triggered a year’s extension in his contract in order to secure a better fee it is starting to look low.
But the player seems to be in favour of heading back to his home country and his opportunities back at the London Stadium are likely to only keep decreasing as Tim Steidten continues his evolution of the squad.
Whether the German can make progress on that inside the current window is going to be the key focus over the final hours, with Maxwel Cornet also potentially in line to depart.
Peripheral options leaving is necessary to bring new names through the doors at West Ham but there appears to be more action in one direction than the other.
In other West Ham news, a London Stadium striker target now wants the move during the current window.
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