West Ham United: Sky Sports share latest Pablo Fornals update amid transfer interest from Real Betis
Pablo Fornals could feature for West Ham in their Premier League clash against Bournemouth as a move to Real Betis now looks unlikely, according to James Savundra.
The Spain international has been linked with a reunion with Manuel Pellegrini in Seville over the past fortnight, but Betis have been unable to match United’s valuation.
Savundra shared an update on the transfer saga live on Sky Sports News from outside London Stadium ahead of Thursday’s (1 February) showdown with Bournemouth.
“Real Betis need to improve on their initial offer for Fornals that they put in, which does not match West Ham’s valuation,” he said [1 February, 12:42pm].
“It would be a chance for Fornals to go back to Spain and reunite with former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“But, as things stand, he remains a West Ham player and there is a possibility he remains a West Ham player beyond the transfer window closing.
“He could be included in their side to take on Bournemouth tonight at the London Stadium.”
Makes perfect sense
If a deal for Fornals could not be struck before now, it is surely safe to assume nothing further will happen between now and the deadline.
Clubs can often come in with bigger bids when the clock is ticking down, of course, but West Ham should not be messed around.
They are under no pressure to sell Fornals and it was a strange deal on the face of it anyway.
Said Benrahma looks set to move to Ligue 1, while no new attackers are incoming, so keeping Fornals until the summer is the best choice.
And if that decision is set in stone, it makes perfect sense to include him in the squad to face Bournemouth.
That fixture has been scheduled at a very awkward time, but it has to be a case of business as usual on the field.
If Fornals is called upon, he needs to be ready to make an impact and give his all as long as he remains a Hammer.
In other West Ham news, a rival manager is said to be “uneasy” over a move for a Hammers player.
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