Nice have completed a striker deal which could be a major blow to West Ham and their chances of signing target Terem Moffi.
This morning Hammers News brought you bang up to date on West Ham’s pursuit of Lorient star Moffi.
If you have been following the twists and turns on this deal you will know that Lorient’s preference has always been to sell to West Ham rather than rivals Nice.
But the player’s preference – it is reported – has always been to join Nice.
As well as Lorient’s desire not to sell Moffi to a rival, another factor in West Ham’s favour has been that a deal for around £20m plus has already been agreed between the Hammers and the Ligue 1 club.
That, we are told, is a figure Nice cannot get near with their latest bid worth less than £17m.
The 23-year-old was left out of Lorient’s squad for their 2-1 win over Rennes on Friday night, a tell-tale sign he is being protected ahead of an impending sale before Tuesday’s deadline day.
There appears to be some concerning news for West Ham this evening, though.
Because Nice have completed a striker deal which could be a major blow to West Ham and their chances of signing target Moffi.
With money tight at Nice, the club needed to shift a player or two in order to free up wages and funds to help their Moffi bid.
So it can only be bad news for West Ham that they have agreed a deal with Nantes to let them have striker Andy Delort on loan with an obligation to buy.
Ouest-France report that a deal has been reached between Nantes and Nice over the transfer of Delort – who has also ironically been linked with West Ham.
He will move on an initial loan deal with an obligatory permanent option to be triggered at the end of the season.
It means Nice will get a loan fee, rid themselves of the Algerian forward’s wages and guarantee a transfer fee at the end of the season.
The move is seen in France as a clear indication that Nice expect to bring in a striker before the deadline.
And given the ongoing battle with West Ham over Moffi, it could prove curtains for David Moyes’ hopes.
It very much looks like Nice are making space for Moffi to join.
We won’t have to wait too much longer to find out. But this deal does not bode well.
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