There has been a big twist in the battle between Spurs and West Ham for January bargain Ruslan Malinovskyi after a new report from France.
West Ham and rivals Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with mutual interest in a number of players in recent transfer windows.
From Djed Spence and Yves Bissouma to Filip Kostic and Nikola Milenkovic, it seems Hammers boss David Moyes and Tottenham’s Antonio Conte appreciate a similar profile of player.
Another player both West Ham and Spurs have been heavily linked with of late is Ukraine midfielder Malinovskyi.
At the weekend it was reported Tottenham had stolen a march on West Ham in the race to sign the Atalanta star in the January transfer window.
Calciomercato and Corriere di Bergamo claim Tottenham are pushing forward with a move to sign the 29-year-old Atalanta ace for just €15 million (£13 million) in January.
Hammers boss Moyes has allegedly made contact to bring the 51-capped Ukraine international to the London Stadium in the winter window (Calciomercato).
Atalanta are reportedly keen to move Malinovskyi on this winter.
But there has been a big twist in the battle between Spurs and West Ham for January bargain Malinovskyi.
Because Marseille have now made a move for the star who has bagged 30 goals and 28 assists in 142 games for Atalanta (Transfermarkt).
According to RMC, Marseille are keen on taking another shot at Malinovskyi after president Pablo Longoria tried to recruit him in the summer.
But RMC state that Marseille want the West Ham and Spurs target on loan this winter. OM previously reached an agreement with the player but Atalanta set too high of a price tag for Marseille’s liking.
That would be something of a strange move by Atalanta given Malinovskyi is available on a free transfer in the summer.
Perhaps that suggests the Italian club are simply desperate to get him off their wage bill?
The 29-year-old possesses outstanding technical ability and would be a superb addition – particularly for West Ham who are sorely lacking a proper box-to-box player in midfield.
Malinovskyi has plenty of energy and possesses the ability to beat a man. He has an absolute rocket of a shot in his arsenal as well.
If Atalanta are open to a loan with Marseille then it will surely give West Ham and Tottenham encouragement they could get a permanent deal done for an absolute knockdown price.
Moyes admitted this week he will make signings if the certain players become available (talkSPORT).
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