West Ham United and Aston Villa January transfer window news on Florian Neuhaus
West Ham are eyeing a move to sign Borussia Monchengladbach’s Florian Neuhaus this month, according to Bild.
Reporting on their website on 23 January the German outlet claimed that the Hammers and Aston Villa are both after the 26-year-old midfielder to boost their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
The Bundesliga side have only recently extended his contract for four more years and there is no release clause, so a loan is considered more likely as a permanent deal could cost over €30million [£25.6m], like another player they want to keep hold of in Manu Koné.
German international Neuhaus has reportedly already been subject to loose enquiries from Sevilla and Lazio but the potential for a move to the Premier League is stronger.
The Irons have already faced competition from within the top flight in their pursuit of Kalvin Phillips, and now also for Ibrahim Osman.
No need
David Moyes evidently feels that he needs another key option for his midfield, but he is on the brink of getting a favourite of his in to fill that role in Phillips from Manchester City.
The supposed threat of that move falling through might have brought Neuhaus into play as a fallback option, but if the top choice is on his way in it surely rules out a push to land him over the next week.
Other than the current injury to Edson Alvarez, which shouldn’t keep him out too much longer [Premier Injuries], there is an argument that even Phillips is an unnecessary extravagance, but Moyes is a big fan and surely wants to keep him past the end of the season.
There is therefore not going to be a requirement to add a fifth central option to the squad, with James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek also available, and Lucas Paqueta also suitable when fit.
So while the Irons appear to have beaten Premier League rivals to Phillips, and are now tipped to do the same in their pursuit of Osman from Nordsjaelland, they will presumably be happy to let Aston Villa go for this one.
In other West Ham news, an Irons deal for a priority defensive signing will strike a “massive blow” to his current club this month.
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