Respected journalist David Ornstein claims Benfica now have two strikers lined up to replace West Ham target Darwin Nunez.
West Ham raised eyebrows over the weekend with a number of reported £50m plus bids for players.
One of those came out of the blue on Sunday when West Ham were said to have had a bid accepted by Benfica for Uruguayan striker Nunez.
YouTube views on Darwin’s highlights reel suddenly shot up last night as Hammers fans looked to find out more about the potential deadline day arrival.
West Ham fans – much like manager David Moyes – are desperate to see the club sign a striker with a host of forwards linked this month.
So Hammers supporters were gutted this morning when Athletic journalist Ornstein claimed Nunez had rejected a move to West Ham.
Speculation surrounding the move has not gone away on deadline day, though.
And it appears there may be the slightest glimmer of hope the Hammers could still get a deal done for Nunez.
That’s after Ornstein claimed Benfica now have two strikers lined up to replace West Ham target Nunez.
David Ornstein claims Benfica now have two strikers lined up to replace West Ham target Darwin Nunez
“If Darwin Nunez leaves Benfica, Lyon striker Islam Slimani is among the options to replace him,” Ornstein reported on his live deadline day feed on The Athletic at around 2.30pm.
“Benfica have already enquired about the former Leicester striker’s availability as a contingency if Nunez does leave.
“As The Athletic reported earlier on Monday, Nunez has turned down a move to West Ham.”
The young French star would reportedly take some convincing to join Newcastle and as a result a move to the Magpies now looks unlikely.
West Ham now have eight hours left to get deals done before the 11pm deadline.
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