There have been two major developments in West Ham’s transfer battle with Chelsea ahead of Monday night’s looming deadline.
West Ham have desperately been trying to sign a striker in the winter window.
But London rivals Chelsea have emerged as a major problem.
The Hammers looked to be closing in on signing Evan Ferguson from Brighton this week.
Especially after Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler confirmed Ferguson wants out to go and play regularly somewhere else.
As West Ham looked to be on the verge of a deal, though, Graham Potter’s former club Chelsea swooped to try and hijack the deal.
That felt rather ominous for the Hammers.
And it seemed West Ham were turning their attentions elsewhere when they were suddenly linked with young Lorient forward Eli Junior Kroupi.
West Ham win one, lose one in Chelsea transfer battle
No sooner had the Irons been linked with 18-year-old Kroupi, though, than Chelsea emerged as rival suitors yet again.
That left West Ham facing the very real prospect of ending the window empty-handed.
Now it seems West Ham have won on and lost one in their transfer battle with Chelsea as the deadline looms.
Potter goes back to Stamford Bridge on Monday night as the Hammers take on the Blues in the Premier League.
It is the third time in the last four windows that West Ham have been made to play on deadline day evening.
But it seems both clubs are keen to avoid any last minute scrambles while their managers are preoccupied.
The bad news for West Ham is that Chelsea are set to win the race for French sensation Kroupi – who has been likened to a young Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappe.
Scottish journalist Alan Nixon claims Todd Boehly has beaten David Sullivan to a deal with Lorient after offering very different deals.
Boehly has pledged to meet the reported £30m asking price – although it’s unclear whether Chelsea will loan Kroupi back to Lorient for the rest of the season as they push for promotion back to Ligue 1.
According to Nixon, Lorient’s decision was made easier when West Ham tried to do a deal based on a lower down payment and bonuses linked to goals and appearances.
There has been better news in the tussle for Ferguson, though.
Chelsea close on Kroupi as Hammers land Ferguson
Because Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has revealed Ferguson will travel to London today for a medical after West Ham agreed a deal with Brighton to sign the striker on a straight loan until the end of the season.
Sheth claims Chelsea were ‘monitoring developments’ but that the Hammers have now sealed the deal.
Tottenham, Bournemouth, Fulham and Everton were among the other Premier League clubs interested.
West Ham fans will not be happy that the deal is only a straight loan.
But given Ferguson’s injury issues over the last year or so, that is perhaps the most sensible move.
However, it comes with a huge risk.
Because if Ferguson rediscovers anything like his best form it will not only drive up the price Brighton want for him, but attract interest from elsewhere too.
Ferguson and Kroupi were not the only striker deals West Ham have been working on.
The Hammers are also on the verge of signing Celtic star Daniel Cummings and his manager Brendan Rodgers is far from happy about it.
West Ham had wanted to do a deal with Chelsea for midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
But it emerged yesterday that the Blues are on the verge of agreeing a loan with purchase clause with Borussia Dortmund for Chukwuemeka.
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