L’Equipe claim West Ham striker target Mohamed Bayo has agreed terms for a move to Lille as David Moyes plan B bites the dust.
Signing a striker is at the top of West Ham’s priority list this summer and Moyes has been linked with Clermont Foot’s Bayo for some time.
Armando Broja is reportedly West Ham’s prime striker target in this window.
But there is no certainty – yet at least – that Chelsea will sell him or do business with West Ham.
One of Moyes’s plan B striker alternatives is Bayo, who has a remarkably similar game to over-worked Hammers star Michail Antonio.
Bayo was in fine form last season with 14 goals and five assists in 32 Ligue 1 games to his name (Transfermarkt).
That came after bagging 22 goals and eight assists in 38 Ligue 2 games during the season before.
Earlier this week Foot Mercato claimed that Clermont are prepared to sell the 24-year-old to West Ham for just €13 million (£11 million).
But according to a new report from L’Equipe, West Ham striker target Bayo has agreed terms for a Lille move as Moyes plan B bites the dust.
The French publication claims ‘Lille are closing in on a move for Bayo’.
The report states that Lille have so far targeted free agents in the summer window but claim they have agreed to front the cash to sign Bayo.
L’Equipe: West Ham striker target Mohamed Bayo agrees terms for Lille move as David Moyes plan B bites the dust
And L’Equipe state that Bayo has already agreed to the personal terms proposed.
“This (signing three free agents) may imply that shareholders do not necessarily want to untie the stock market,” L’Equipe reports.
“Except that Mohamed Bayo has agreed with the LOSC on the salary plan.
“On Saturday, the northern club was close to reaching a final double-digit agreement (between €10-15m / £8.5-12.75m) with Clermont Foot to buy out the last two years of the Guinean striker’s contract with 14 goals and five assists in Ligue 1.
“At one time courted by Hertha Berlin, the 24-year-old punching center forward, deep player, intends to consolidate his progress in the North (of France) by joining his ex-club teammate Akim Zedaka (at Lille) next week.”
This is one of the big dangers of Moyes putting all his eggs in one basket with the Broja chase.
West Ham simply cannot afford to go into another season with Antonio as their only senior striker.
It is almost unheard of in professional football let alone the Premier League for a club to have one striker.
Competition is vital for progress. So it is great to see Moyes wants Broja.
But the longer that particular transfer drags on, the risk heightens with regards signing an alternative should Broja not arrive.
It seems another plan B bites the dust for Moyes and time is ticking.
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