By Jonty Banks

24th Jan, 2023 | 7:40am

Terem Moffi not keen on West Ham United move with Nice preferred destination - journalist

West Ham United target Terem Moffi is “not actually too keen” on a move to the London Stadium and prefers a transfer to Nice this month, according to Ryan Taylor.

The Hammers submitted a £20million bid plus add-ons for the Lorient striker [Sky Sports,16 January] after already signing Danny Ings to add further depth to their attacking reserves.

David Moyes’ side have been short of ideas in front of goals this season, netting just 17 goals in 20 games, a record that has sees them fall to just a point above the Premier League relegation zone.

But Daily Express journalist Taylor believes the 23-year-old would like to stay in Ligue 1 this winter with a move to Nice as his preferred destination.

He told GiveMeSport: “From what I’m told on Moffi, he’s not actually too keen on joining West Ham.

“He’s quite happy at Lorient and if he was to move, he’d be open to joining Nice more so than West Ham – although he is interested in a Premier League move.”

Blow

The Hammers have been dealt a double blow in the last 24 hours, with January recruit Ings falling foul to an injury which will keep him sidelined for three to four weeks and Moffi looking like he prefers a move to Nice this window.

With the Englishman out on the sidelines and Gianluca Scamacca also sidelined, Michail Antonio, is the only viable centre-forward option for Moyes to call upon in the next few weeks, which is a glaring weakness.

Whether through a loan deal or a marquee signing such as Moffi, this lack in depth must be recognised in the closing days of the window and resolved.

The Nigerian international does fit the profile for the type of goalscorer the Hammers are after, having scored an impressive 12 goals in 17 Ligue starts for Lorient, but does Moyes really want to sign a player who would prefer to be elsewhere?