Revealed: Agent whispers suggest West Ham well placed to sign midfielder
Agents are convinced that West Ham have a strong chance of signing Joe Allen before the transfer window shuts, Football Insider has learned.
The Hammers are in the market for a central midfielder and are prioritising a deal for the Stoke City midfielder after Tottenham hijacked their pursuit of Gedson Fernandes.
A West Ham source has told Football Insider that whispers in agent circles are that the club are well positioned to sign Allen if a fee can be agreed with Stoke.
The former Liverpool and Swansea City midfielder is keen on returning to the Premier League after 18 months in the Championship with the Potters.
Football Insider revealed last Saturday that Allen was the most likely of the West Ham central midfielder targets to sign this month.
That remains unchanged with the club now pressing ahead with finding cover and competition for Declan Rice and Mark Noble after completing the signing earlier today of goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
West Ham's policy this window has been to keep multiple midfielder deals on the boil in case any of them collapse.
As revealed by Football Insider, the Hammers have also entered the bidding for 21-year-old Norway international Sander Berge.
West Ham have tabled an offer for Allen of over £5m and Stoke have slashed their initial £15m valuation, although the clubs are still some way from an agreement.
The Wales international has been a mainstay of the team this season, starting 24 of their 27 Championship fixtures.