West Ham are eyeing up a move for Norwich star James Maddison as David Moyes attempts to bolster his midfield, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claim in their live transfer blog (23/01, 05:41) that Moyes is keen to avoid incomings for the sake of it as the end of the transfer window approaches.
The Mirror report that Maddison is the latest midfield target for the Hammers, whose search for reinforcements in that area have seen them linked with Joe Allen, Jonjo Shelvey and Harry Arter.
The 22-year-old midfield dynamo has played a starring role for the Canaries this season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists to light up the Championship.
As previously reported by the Evening Standard, Premier League rivals Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester are also chasing Maddison, who would cost at least £20million.
Good move for West Ham?
If you look at Maddison as a player, then absolutely.
The young midfielder showed the Premier League what he can do with a flawless performance during Norwich’s heartbreaking loss on penalties to Chelsea in the FA Cup, and he is ready for the step up to the top-flight.
However, it is not certain that a playmaker is the acquisition that West Ham need at the moment.
The Hammers look short of a player who can get on the ball and boss a game from deep, rather than a more advanced player like Maddison.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
You would think not.
The Hammers are yet to make a signing this month, and surely must be focusing their efforts elsewhere.
Maddison is in the form of his life at the moment, and would undoubtedly cost a bomb.
Would West Ham be willing to spend around £20million on a player they don’t particularly need? Probably not.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10