Leeds trying to beat West Ham to longstanding target Nahitan Nandez but something doesn’t add up

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Leeds United are reportedly trying to muscle in on West Ham United’s longstanding interest in Uruguay midfielder Nahitan Nandez.

The likes of insider ExWHUemployee and Centotrentuno have claimed West Ham remain interested in Cagliari’s highly-rated central midfielder.

Nandez will be a name familiar to West Ham fans. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium ever since Moyes returned to the club.

Indeed the Scot wanted Nandez as one of his first signings back at West Ham in January 2020.

Leeds trying to muscle in on longstanding West Ham target Nandez?

And the co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold tried to arrange a loan with a set £35million obligation to buy the following summer (Tuttomercatoweb and Football Italia).

Now it appears West Ham’s Prem rivals Leeds are seriously trying to beat them to Nandez.

Moyes needs another central midfielder as back-up to Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek this summer.

And Football Italia has claimed West Ham remain interested with Leeds now challenging the Hammers for the tenacious South American.

With Nandez’s fellow South American Marcelo Bielsa in charge, one might think Leeds have an advantage.

Hammers and Leeds ‘entering bidding war’ for Nandez – report

But on the flip side, West Ham have European football and the prospect of living in London to offer.

Football Italia, citing reports from the La Nuova Sardegna newspaper and Sportitalia, claim Leeds and West Ham ‘are entering a bidding war’ for Nandez.

But unless Sullivan and Gold are suddenly feeling generous, something does not quite add up about West Ham’s interest.

Leeds are said to be willing to bid £30m for Nandez.

Bid claims simply don’t add up for West Ham based on budget leaks

But the report claims West Ham could trump that by offering as much as £35m.

According to a recent report from West Ham insiders Claret and Hugh, though, Moyes has a budget which would top out at £85m.

With £35m set aside to sign a striker and another chunk of money needed to sign Jesse Lingard or an alternative and a new centre-back, that seems highly unlikely.

West Ham don’t look likely to spend massive funds on someone to play backup to Rice and Soucek. Certainly not in the £35m ball park.