West Ham are expecting to wrap up two signings before the EFL transfer deadline passes on Friday as David Moyes strengthens his squad after a frustrating summer on the transfer front.
The Hammers manager wanted to sign a new centre half as a priority to act as cover for Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena. A new midfielder was also on the list, as was a forward if the club could secure a decent deal for a new striker.
Moyes only brought in right back Vladimir Coufal in the summer window for £6million from Slavia Prague but has previous in exploring the Championship for players to bring them to east London, most notably Jarrod Bowenwho signed from Hull City back in January for £25million.
The big addition to Moyes’ team this week is expected to be Brentford’s Said Benrahma. The Algerian midfielder is currently away on international duty but is expected to discuss personal terms once he has finished his commitments with Algeria later this week.
Benrahma played 90 minutes as Algeria beat Nigeria 1-0 in a friendly on Friday and they take on Mexico in a second friendly on Tuesday night.
The Hammers and Brentford have agreed fee for the player, believed to be £18million plus add-ons that could rise to as much as £30million all told if the clauses are met.
Having sold Grady Diangana and allowing Felipe Anderson to depart on loan to Porto last week, Moyes wanted a new face to deploy on the left and he is closing in on Benrahma, who has flourished in the Championship since moving to the Bees and netted 17 times last season for Thomas Frank’s side.
Benrahma will likely be in competition with Pablo Fornals for a starting spot in Moyes’ side when the league resumes this weekend with a trip to Spurs on Sunday.
The other move is expected to be centre back Craig Dawson’s transfer from Watford to east London and that should be the first one to be confirmed.
Football.London understands that a move is all but agreed and it is a case of dotting i’s and crossing t’s for the experienced defender to make the move to the capital.
Dawson will arrive as the fourth choice centre back for Moyes’ side as he gets the central defensive cover that he has been craving.
The Hammers manager is also interested in recruiting Bournemouth striker Josh King and the Cherries are keen to get the frontman’s wages off the books on the south coast.
West Ham have had an offer for the striker rejected as it didn’t meet Bournemouth’s valuation - they want £18million for the 28-year-old - but the Hammers are concerned at paying too much now as they might struggle to recoup that in sell-on value should King potentially join and then move elsewhere later down the road.
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