All eyes are on West Ham after a tell-tale move from Lorient in the game of chess over striker Terem Moffi.
The one thing that is certain about West Ham’s pursuit of Moffi in the January transfer window is that it will be settled in the next four days – one way or another.
We brought you a comprehensive update on the Moffi saga on Hammers News earlier this week.
If you have been following the twists and turns on this deal you will know that Lorient’s preference has always been to sell to West Ham rather than rivals Nice.
But the player’s preference – it is reported – has always been to join Nice.
Marseille briefly entered the running this week, offering up ex West Ham target Bamba Dieng in exchange.
Lorient did want Dieng, but only in a straight deal which was not connected to Moffi – because they still prefer to sell to West Ham.
So that gave the Hammers huge encouragement on two fronts as Lorient also had their replacement lined up.
There was a twist this week, though, when Dieng failed his Lorient medical, casting doubt on whether the French club would now sell Moffi at all.
All eyes on West Ham after tell-tale move from Lorient in game of chess over striker Terem Moffi
West Ham were still interested in signing the second top scorer in Ligue 1 despite signing Danny Ings last week. So his injury changes little in that regard.
Now all eyes are on West Ham after a tell-tale move from Lorient in the game of chess over striker Moffi.
Lorient played and beat Rennes 2-1 on Friday night. And – crucially – Moffi was not named in the squad.
Last week the French club’s manager Regis Le Bris admitted Moffi had been affected by the speculation over a move to West Ham or Nice.
But he insisted he would be back in training after being laid low by a virus last weekend.
Lorient are clearly protecting their asset ahead of an expected sale. It is a tell-tale move with less than four days left of the window.
Now it is down to whether West Ham and David Moyes can convince the player to move to the London Stadium because Lorient are seriously reluctant to sell to Nice – who cannot match the offer on the table from the Hammers.
We’re reaching the end game now on this one. Let’s hope West Ham can pull a rabbit out of the hat because the team desperately needs someone like Moffi with his pace, power and finishing.
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