West Ham are interested in signing Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes in January although Everton are now rumoured to be in the race as well.
Football.London understands the Hammers could know by Tuesday whether they can progress to more serious discussions over a potential move for Fernandes.
Benfica are expected to demand a hefty fee, whether that be for a permanent transfer of for a loan deal.
Fernandes has a massive £102m release clause in his current deal at Benfica and has two caps for Portugal but is currently out of favour at Benfica.
An 18-month loan option is an alternative with the option to buy at the end of the loan for the 20-year-old. The club would no doubt ask for a get out clause if they do get relegated this season and would negotiate hard for the permanent fee at the end of it. It is believed Benfica would want 50m euros.
He has previously been linked with moves to Manchester United, Lyon and AC Milan.
The 20-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in Portugal under a manger in Bruno Liege who plays 4-4-2 while Fernandes plays best in a midfield three or in a 4-2-3-1 where he is one of the midfield two.
David Moyes was asked about Fernandes last week at a press conference when the manager hinted he would be the kind of player the club was looking to sign.
The Hammers boss was asked once again about the midfielder after the 2-0 win over Gillingham on Sunday in the FA Cup: "I can't tell you. Your question is very straight and I can't say if it will happen. We would like to add to the squad but we need to get the right players."
Eyebrows were raised when Fernandes posted on Instagram with a caption that included the club's "Irons" emblem on it and that has alerted many fans to the midfielder. The logo was later removed from the post.
The first comment of Fernandes' post came from a current Hammers player and fellow Portuguese, Mesaque Dju, who joined the club from Benfica last year.
