Nottingham Forest have beaten West Ham to another signing as they land Hwang Ui-Jo only to bizarrely loan him straight out.
West Ham and Nottingham Forest have found themselves in some transfer tussles already this summer, most notably involving Jesse Lingard.
Forest won the day in that particular race.
West Ham reportedly got a measure of revenge by beating Forest to the signing of Maxwel Cornet.
Then David Moyes allegedly called off a move for forward Emmanuel Dennis , clearing the path for Nottingham Forest to sign him instead.
Notts Forest also captured reported West Ham midfield target Orel Mangala after the Hammers pulled out of a move for Amadou Onana.
Steve Cooper got one over on West Ham on the pitch too when Forest somehow beat West Ham 1-0 in the second game of the season.
Now Nottingham Forest look set to beat West Ham to another signing as they land Hwang Ui-Jo only to bizarrely loan him straight out.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for the South Korean striker following Bordeaux’s relegation (L’Equipe).
A host of other reports have also reported West Ham’s interest with claims he could be signed for a knockdown £2.5m.
Now L’Équipe are reporting that Nottingham Forest are close to sealing a deal to sign the 29-year-old.
But Forest will immediately loan him out to Olympiacos – who share the same owner, Evangelos Marinakis.
According to L’Équipe – as also reported by Get French Football News – Hwang was reportedly unimpressed by the idea of a move to the Greek club, but after consulting with his compatriot, Hwang In-beon, who currently plays for Olympiacos, he has warmed to the idea.
The South Korean striker now looks set to make the move “to Forest”.
According to L’Équipe the deal is ‘almost done’.
Nottingham Forest will pay €4m (plus €1m in bonuses) (£2.5m) before sending him out on loan to Greece.
West Ham have been looking to Ligue 1 for players under Moyes and Rob Newman. Hwang was always a strange link for the Hammers given his age.
But for such a nominal fee he could have been a useful squad player for the Hammers.
Forest have sealed his signature, though, and will presumably be able to recall him from his loan at Olympiacos in January should Cooper deem it necessary.