West Ham United transfer update: Personal terms agreed in three-way Geoffrey Kondogbia race
Geoffrey Kondogbia has agreed personal terms with Marseille but the deal is “not 100% closed” and West Ham remain interested, Matteo Moretto reports.
The Hammers are after the Atletico Madrid midfielder as they prepare to lose captain Declan Rice, with Tomas Soucek also for sale as well.
The 30-year-old former Valencia and Inter man is set to move this summer, and Marseille appear to be in pole position, but according to journalist Moretto the door is still ajar for fellow Ligue 1 side Lyon and West Ham.
He reported via Twitter Friday evening (23 June): “Total agreement between Geoffrey Kondogbia and Marseille for a long contract.
“The French club negotiates with Atlético and the signing is advanced. It is NOT 100% closed yet, some details are missing.
“West Ham and Lyon, interested.”
Long shot
The veteran Central African Republic international is one of numerous midfielders who appear to be in the club’s sights as they gear up for a major overhaul at the position.
But it looks like this one is only going to be possible if Marseille fail to come up with a financial offer that is suitable for the Spanish club.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Kondogbia “only wants” OM so it looks like that proposed move will have to collapse and him to be open to a consolation destination for the Irons to stand a chance.
He would have been a bargain option compared to the huge prices being quoted for the likes of Joao Palhinha and Edson Alvarez, with Romano claiming negotiations are on for a fee around €7million [£6million].
West Ham could easily outbid that even without the windfall they are due for selling Rice, but if the Atleti man has eyes only for the South of France that makes the spending power a moot point.
This one looks like it is almost done, and if so the Irons will need to cross him off their list and keep moving to bring in suitable options in the middle.