West Ham are yet to agree a deal with OH Leuven for Ezechiel Banzuzi, according to Reports 
The Hammers insider reported via the West Ham Way website on Wednesday (22 January) that talks are underway to sign the 19-year-old Dutch ace. However, Sources says that Sky Sports’ claim that a deal is all but done is wide of the mark.
Sky Sports’ update was rather emphatic, though, with Sky Sports News anchor David Garrido reporting that Graham Potter “has made his first signing as the new West Ham boss”.
However, The Reporter has revealed his sources at West Ham have denied the story while he’s also mooted the possibility of vice-chairman Karren Brady agreeing a deal without any of his links knowing about it.
“Whilst talks are said to have continued with Ezechiel Banzuzi in the last few days, talk that a deal has been agreed have been denied by our top source,” said The Reporter. “We have been reporting this transfer for a number of weeks now and have confirmed talks have happened.
“We put the question to them following reports in Sky and elsewhere that a deal had been agreed and we got the response: ‘Not sure where the story comes from, the club said two weeks ago they are unlikely to sell this window’.
“The story has also been denied by the player’s agent and also by the player’s club.
“Whilst talks are expected to continue and a deal could be agreed as West Ham are very keen, it seems like talk of a done deal may be premature. It could be that Karren Brady may have been able to secure the deal but it seems odd that others in the club wouldn’t know at this point, as well as his agent and the selling club.”
West Ham transfer circus continues
This is a weird one.
Sky Sports don’t usually get their transfer stories rubbished straight away but in this case, it seems that both West Ham, Leuven and the player’s agent were all quick to rain on the broadcaster’s parade.
He’s not signing – not yet, anyway – but Sky Sports reported that he was jetting in for a medical and everything.
It’s pretty unbelievable, really, that Garrido effectively said it’s a done deal for Potter.
The Hammers will no doubt be trying to plug leaks after the PR farce that led to Julen Lopetegui’s dismissal and it could be that Brady has worked silently to get a new signing done.
Maybe she’s weeding out people who leak stuff to the media?
