A journalist with strong Hammers links offers West Ham new hope of beating Newcastle to a £30m deal for Nayef Aguerd.
The breaking and concerning news at West Ham today centres around Newcastle trying to hijack yet another Hammers transfer.
Newcastle have reportedly made an 11th hour bid to hijack West Ham’s £30m West Ham deal with Rennes for Moroccan defender Aguerd.
A high level West Ham insider has confirmed the last ditch Newcastle move to website Claret and Hugh.
West Ham are already busy trying to fight off Newcastle in order to get on loan goalkeeper Alphonse Areola signed up to a permanent deal.
The Hammers and Newcastle have also reportedly been locked in transfer battles over Jesse Lingard, Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike in recent months.
Now it seems the Magpies are once again trying to scupper West Ham’s transfer plans.
But a journalist with strong Hammers links has offered West Ham fans new hope of beating Newcastle to the £30m deal for Aguerd.
Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg has close ties at West Ham.
Steinberg has confirmed West Ham are concerned about Newcastle’s interest in Areola.
Journalist offers West Ham new hope of beating Newcastle to £30m deal for Nayef Aguerd
But he claims West Ham’s move for Aguerd is still expected to come off with a medical in place.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday evening, Steinberg said: “West Ham concerned Newcastle could hijack Areola deal. Move for Aguerd nearing completion.
“There are of course suggestions Newcastle could come in for Aguerd too, though that would seem dependent on whether they can sign (Sven) Botman from Lille.”
In an article by Steinberg attached to the Twitter post, Steinberg added further encouragement for West Ham fans.
“West Ham are closing in on a deal to sign Nayef Aguerd from Rennes for €35m (£30.2m),” Steinberg reports for The Guardian.
“The Morocco centre-back is expected to undergo a medical this week.”
Steinberg’s point about Botman is a concern, though.
Because the alleged West Ham and Newcastle target – also a left-footed centre-back like Aguerd – recently declared he has his heart set on joining AC Milan – as reported last weekend by Hammers News.