West Ham United’s plan to sign Brentford stars Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma could be in tatters after West Bromwich Albion choked in the Championship promotion race.
Read: Report claims club will literally treble offer to land West Ham star
While West Ham were busy securing their Premier League status with a fine 3-1 win over Watford, West Brom were beaten 1-0 by relegation-threatened Huddersfield.
And that means Brentford are now in the box seat for the second automatic promotion spot.
West Brom choke to leave West Ham transfer plans in tatters
West Ham have been linked with Bees star striker Watkins (The Sun) and skilful playmaker Said Benrahma (ExWHUemployee).
It is all part of David Moyes’s plan to build a new look West Ham team around young, energetic players hungry to prove themselves in the Premier League (whufc.com and beIN Sports).
But Slaven Bilic’s Baggies side look to have put a spanner in the works.
If Brentford’s last two games – against Stoke and Barnsley – go to form, the west Londoners will be promoted to the Premier League.
Indeed Brentford can even afford to draw one of those and they would still finish ahead of West Brom given their vastly superior goal difference.
West Ham are focusing on singing a striker as a priority in the window according to Hammers insiders Claret & Hugh.
Watkins is reportedly near the top of Moyes’s list.
He netted his 25th goal of the season in midweek. And it caught the eye of former West Ham hero Sinclair who praised the 25-year-old.
Sinclair also compared Watkins to his old West Ham teammate Jermain Defoe.
“Wow Ollie Watkins at it again,” Sinclair said on Twitter after the striker’s unerring finish which puts Brentford on the brink of the automatic promotion places.
“Reminds me of Defoe in and around the 18 yard box.
“Lethal.”
‘Lethal’ Watkins and skilful Benrahma off the table if Bees go up
But should Brentford now be promoted West Ham won’t be getting their hands on Watkins or Benrahma.
So Moyes will have to start looking elsewhere.
The good news is the West Ham boss has plenty of time to reassess his plans with the transfer window opening after the end of the season next weekend and staying open until October 5th.
The Hammers are not expected to spend big in the window.
But Moyes will need to be creative and raise some funds through sales. Because West Ham must improve in both fullback positions, central defence, the playmaker position and up front.
Read: West Ham can use interest Anderson to beat Tottenham to international striker
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