West Ham have entered talks with Benfica over midfielder Gedson Fernandes, who continues to be pursued by Manchester United and a host of other European clubs.
The Portugal international has fallen out of favour with the Primeira Liga champions, having been completely left out of their last five matches in all competitions amid reports of a fallout with manager Bruno Lage.
It is beginning to seem as though there is no way back for him in Lisbon, and as such, representatives are reported to have been in the UK over the New Year period looking to fashion a move for the midfielder.
West Ham are in talks with Benfica over the signing of midfielder Gedson Fernandes, Sky Sports News understands.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 3, 2020
This is believed to have caught the eye of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's recruitment team, who hold an interest in negotiating a deal, which could see him depart Benfica on an initial loan with a £34m option to buy.
But in the latest update to a rapidly-developing story, Sky Sports say it is West Ham who have stolen a march, with the midfielder preferring a move to London for 'family reasons'.
Discussions are reported to be underway over a loan deal that would see him join the Irons on a temporary basis until the end of the 2020/21 season, with the expectation that they will bring him in permanently at the end of the initial spell.
The report notes that there have been formal offers from Lyon and AC Milan, but the suggestion is that West Ham have become the favourites for his signature, with David Moyes - who returned to the club on Sunday - keen to make the exciting midfielder his first signing.
He remains highly-rated despite his recent situation in the Portuguese capital, with Benfica installing a release clause worth north of £100m in his first professional contract.
He has made 58 appearances in total since graduating from the youth ranks, earning himself two senior Portugal caps for his efforts.
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Source : 90min
