There is a glimmer of hope for West Ham over Harvey Barnes as a report claims Newcastle United have a new prime transfer target in Moussa Diaby.
Newcastle United looked set to deal a crushing blow to West Ham’s transfer plans as news emerged from St James’s Park this week.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for flying attacker Harvey Barnes following his relegation with Leicester City.
Newcastle had looked to be a real problem for the Hammers from the get go, though, with Eddie Howe also rumoured to be interested when the transfer window first opened.
Last month journalist Matt Law had claimed West Ham were leading the race for Barnes, but warned Newcastle were also circling.
Glimmer of hope for West Ham over Harvey Barnes as report claims Newcastle have new prime transfer target in Moussa Diaby
Then The Guardian stated West Ham boss David Moyes wants to wrap up a deal to sign the 25-year-old England international as soon as the Declan Rice deal was done.
Newcastle’s transfer focus has been elsewhere securing the £55m signing of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Both The Telegraph and talkSPORT claimed West Ham were closing in on the exciting capture of Barnes.
But there was an unwelcome twist this week when it was reported Newcastle had overtaken West Ham in the race for Barnes this week.
The Telegraph doubled down on those claims last night but stated the Magpies are yet to actually bid for Barnes.
There is a glimmer of hope for West Ham over Barnes as a report claims Newcastle have a new prime transfer target in Moussa Diaby.
Report: Howe wants ‘one of the best in the world’ Diaby and Barnes not a priority
A host of outlets are claiming that Newcastle are trying to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Diaby, who is described as one of the ‘best wingers in the world’ right now.
And yesterday Football Transfers ran an exclusive stating that the Frenchman is Newcastle’s number one target for the left-hand side.
The report also claims Barnes ‘is not a priority’ for Newcastle, which – if accurate – is clearly great news for West Ham.
“Newcastle have rekindled their interest in Moussa Diaby this window while Harvey Barnes is not a priority…” the report claims.
“Barnes is being considered by Newcastle but it’s our understanding that the Foxes star is further down the list than the aforementioned attacker.
“Diaby has Champions League experience and is thought to be one of the best in his position in the world right now.”
If Hammers do miss out on Barnes then they should use Steidten link to move for Diaby instead
West Ham can only hope this clears a path for them to get a deal done with Leicester for Barnes.
But if Newcastle do end up signing Barnes then perhaps the Hammers should be looking at Diaby instead given how highly-rated the 24-year-old is.
Especially as West Ham’s new technical director Tim Steidten was the man who brought Diaby to Bayer Leverkusen in the first place.
West Ham are one of just three Premier League clubs yet to make a signing in the summer transfer window thus far alongside cash-strapped Everton and Sheffield United.
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