Javier Hernandez has handed in a transfer request in an effort to force through a move away from West Ham in the closing stages of the continental transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
According to the report, the Hammers have been in talks with Spanish side Sevilla over the possibility of a permanent exit for the £140,000-a-week striker [Spotrac].
It is understood that the current offer for Hernandez stands at £7 million, with the Irons holding out for a fee closer to £8million.
The report also suggests that the 31-year-old was in Seville on Friday to discuss personal terms with the La Liga outfit.
Will Hernandez be missed?
It’s hard to say.
Certainly, it would be fair to suggest that the Mexican has not been at his best during his spell in east London.
He has yet to hit double figures in the Premier League for a season, and last year he averaged just 1.5 shots, 0.2 key passes, and 0.5 successful dribbles per game, as per Whoscored.
If you factor in his massive wage, and the fact that he is 31 now, there is definitely an argument to be made for ushering him towards the exit door.
On the other hand, however, the Hammers are hardly blessed with an abundance of striking options at the moment.
Sebastien Haller looks like an inspired signing already, but the other new boy, Albian Ajeti, has yet to prove himself.
The Swiss forward failed to score on his debut against Newport County, and while you would expect him to show a little bit more as time progresses, it could be a gamble to let an experienced player like Hernandez leave without suitable depth to cope with his departure.
He might not start every week, but as was proven in his goalscoring turn against Brighton a fortnight ago, the Mexican can still be a very useful player for the Irons on his day.
The only question is if it is his day often enough.
Is it likely to happen?
If the report is to be believed, then yes, very possibly.
The fact that Hernandez is supposedly in Spain would suggest that a deal is imminent, and it is certainly not out of character for Manuel Pellegrini to let a player go after they have expressed a desire to leave.
Look at the way that he cut Marko Arnautovic adrift after he started to become a disruptive influence in the dressing room.
Whether Hernandez has that same kind of confrontational streak is questionable, but don’t be surprised if the Chilean cuts his losses and soldiers on without him.