West Ham negotiating multiple deals for Moyes in manic transfer window climax

30 January 2024 , 09:40

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Said Benrahma could leave West Ham in the final days of the window (Image: Getty Images)

West Ham are gearing up for a frantic finish to the January transfer window.

It's been a relatively quiet month in east London thus far although the Hammers have brought in Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City with an option to buy following the departures of Thilo Kehrer (loan plus option) to Monaco and Conor Coventry, who joined Charlton Athletic on a permanent deal.

The priority now for David Moyes is refreshing his wide options with Said Benrahma considered the most likely player to depart the London Stadium before tomorrow's deadline.

The Algeria international, who was not selected for the Africa Cup of Nations, is now the subject of a permanent bid from Lyon. Th French side's offer is worth in the region of £15million plus add-ons but is yet to have been accepted as West Ham want to get the best possible deal for the 28-year-old.

Marseille also saw a loan plus permanent option offer rejected for the former Brentford man earlier in the window.

Ideally, West Ham want to sign a replacement first and Al-Ittihad winger Jota is now in their crosshairs. Formal talks have taken place between the parties but so far, the indications are that a deal - even a loan move - could prove complex due to wages and tax issues.

Jota is understood to be keen on the switch as he remains ineligible for Saudi Pro League matches because he is no longer registered as one of Al-Ittihad's eight foreign players. West Ham also remain possible suitors for Nordsjaelland winger Ibrahim Osman after seeing an opening offer worth in the region of £13.7m rebuffed.

Other Premier League sides including Brighton and Brentford are now at the table and would be prepared to keep Osman on loan at the Danish club until the end of the season. The formula could give them the edge in the race for his signature.

Sources insist West Ham's deal for the 19-year-old Ghanaian has stalled over a gap in valuation while reports in Scandinavia have claimed the holdup is due to some complications surrounding the player's representation.

West Ham have been trying to do a deal for FC Nordsjalland winger Ibrahim Osman (Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Pablo Fornals could now stay put at West Ham until the end of the season. Real Betis remain in talks with West Ham over a deal for the Spaniard but the Hammers will only sell at the right price and if they have a suitable replacement through the door.

Fornals' contract is due to run until the summer of 2025 and while both loan and permanent deals have been discussed with Betis, there has been no resolution to date. Betis are also now in negotiations with Alaves over the signing of 30-year-old winger Luis Rioja, who could be a cheaper alternative to Fornals.

Danny Ings is likely to be the subject of interest in the final hours of the window but West Ham are expected to keep the 31-year-old until the end of the season.

Wolves and Crystal Palace are among those to have looked at the former Southampton and Aston Villa frontman. Maxwel Cornet is also attracting interest from Nottingham Forest.

Ryan Taylor