West Ham have been heavily linked with PSG midfielder Carlos Soler and they also reportedly have their sights set on a Championship star.
West Ham want to make at least one more signing before the transfer window closes next week.
Don’t take our word for it, Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui confirmed as much in his latest press conference.
“We don’t want to talk about players who aren’t here, although it’s true that anything can happen,” Lopetegui said.
“It’s true that you have to keep competing in the market while working towards games.”
One player the Hammers are hoping to bring in is Lopetegui’s fellow Spaniard Carlos Soler.
West Ham’s pre-emptive move for PSG outcast
That will depend entirely on whether a player or two can be shipped out of the London Stadium first.
Not just to offset this summer’s sizeable spend but to clear space on the wage bill and in Lopetegui’s much-improved West Ham squad.
Soler would be West Ham’s ninth summer signing. The 27-year-old – who can play in a variety of midfield roles – has reportedly spoken to Lopetegui and is keen on moving to West Ham.
But the focus is as much on offloading players surplus to requirements as it is on bringing Soler in.
Talks are in progress over departures with Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd looking the most likely at the moment.
Now there is a big Soler update from France as West Ham target Championship star.
Big Soler update as West Ham target Championship star
According to Le Parisien this afternoon, West Ham and PSG are now close to an agreement over a deal for Soler.
It seems like a pre-emptive move from the Hammers on the assumption they will be able to ship one or two out before next week’s deadline.
“The Spanish international could leave Paris in the coming days, heading for England,” the report states.
“The transfer would be around 23 million euros (£19m), bonuses included.
“Details remain to be settled but the case has seen significant progress in recent hours.
“The player still has to reach an agreement with the London club where he could sign for 4 years. Julen Lopetegui, the Spanish coach of the Hammers and former coach of La Roja, is heavily involved in this transfer.”
But it seems West Ham are very much keeping their options open too.
Or perhaps a current midfielder is set to be sold before deadline day.
Two longstanding Hammers targets bite the dust
Because Give Me Sport claim West Ham are also interested in signing Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.
The Hammers have allegedly had Hackney watched in the first two games of the season.
And they are one of a number of Premier League clubs weighing up a bid.
Hackney, 22, is superb on the ball and is used as a deep-lying playmaker for Boro’.
Meanwhile two other longstanding West Ham targets look set to be on the move – to the same club.
Chelsea’s Armando Broja and Sunderland’s Jack Clarke are both reportedly in talks to join former Hammers Ben Johnson and Kalvin Phillips at Ipswich Town.
