Done deal: Fabrizio Romano confirms winner in race for West Ham and Spurs target Ruslan Malinovskyi

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Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the winner in the race for West Ham and Spurs target Ruslan Malinovskyi in a January done deal.

West Ham and rivals Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with mutual interest in a number of players in recent transfer windows.

The latest has been Ukraine midfielder Malinovskyi.

It had been reported that Tottenham had stolen a march on West Ham in the race to sign the Atalanta ace in the January transfer window.

Calciomercato and Corriere di Bergamo claimed Tottenham were pushing forward with a move to sign the 29-year-old for just €15 million (£13 million) this month.

Hammers boss Moyes had allegedly made contact to bring the 51-capped Ukraine international to the London Stadium in the winter window (Calciomercato).

Atalanta have reportedly been keen to move Malinovskyi on this winter.

Spurs then looked to have a free run at the player after West Ham were ruled out of the running earlier this week.

Yesterday Hammers News carried reports claiming Marseille were hoping to beat the Hammers and Tottenham to the Serie A midfielder.

Now transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the winner in the race for West Ham and Spurs target Malinovskyi.

And it is indeed Marseille in the latest January window done deal.

Malinovskyi will instead team up with former West Ham star Dimitri Payet at the Stade Velodrome after joining on loan with an obligation to buy for £8.8m plus £2.64m in add-ons.

“Official, confirmed,” Romano said alongside pictures of the West Ham and Spurs target in Marseille kits.

“Ruslan Malinovskyi joins Olympique Marseille on loan with obligation to buy from Atalanta.

“€10m fee plus €3m add ons. OM Deal signed and completed.”

The Daily Mail had reported that West Ham and Spurs were fighting it out for the midfielder. And their report stated West Ham were in ‘pole position’ because Tottenham were only willing to sanction a loan deal.

But it seems it was either a red herring or Marseille’s offer pipped what Moyes and Antonio Conte were willing to do.

In truth it would have been something of a short-term signing for either West Ham or Spurs.

Malinovskyi turns 30 before the end of the season and both clubs should really be looking to talent who can form part of their central midfields for years to come.

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