Sources: West Ham plot move to sign PL giant amid big transfer twist

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Published on:

08 Jan 2020, 11:30 am

West Ham will turn to Asmir Begovic if their pursuit of Darren Randolph fails due to injury concerns identified over the last 24 hours, Football Insider can reveal.

The Hammers have identified Begovic as the back-up to Randolph, whose move to the London Stadium has been delayed amid fears his thigh injury may require surgery.

A West Ham source has told Football Insider that the club may have to revise the terms of the deal agreed with Middlesbrough amid a medical investigation today into the issue that has sidelined the Republic of Ireland international for two months.

The Premier League outfit have made the capture of a new keeper one of their priorities for this window after the wretched form of Roberto Jimenez during Lukasz Fabianski's three-month absence before Christmas.

Begovic, 32, has returned to Bournemouth after spending the first half of the campaign on loan at Azerbaijani side Qarabag.

He is likely to be made available for transfer by Eddie Howe, who has started 21-year-old Aaron Ramsdale in all 21 of his side's league matches this season.

With Artur Boruc as back-up, that could leave 6ft 5in Begovic playing second fiddle in the second half of the campaign.

West Ham want to sign a keeper who is experienced and proven in the Premier League.

Football Insider broke the news last Friday that West Ham were set to increase their initial £2million bid for the goalkeeper to secure an early-window deal.

A fee of more than £3million was agreed at the start of this week and the goalkeeper agreed personal terms before undergoing a medical.

Randolph had been all set to be announced as the Hammers' first signing of the window but the deal could now fall through.

The experienced keeper, who has 18 months remaining on his contract at the Riverside Stadium, has missed Boro's last nine league matches as well as last Sunday's 1-1 FA Cup draw against Tottenham due to injury.

In other West Ham news, it can be REVEALED that the club are in talks to appoint Joe Cole in sensational move.

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