Sources: West Ham position on Pablo Fornals transfer revealed after new transfer twist
West Ham United are confident that Pablo Fornals’ exit to Real Betis will be ratified after computer issues halted the processing before the deadline, sources have told Football Insider.
The Spaniard’s move to the La Liga side is yet to be announced after the clubs agreed to a £6.8million fee on deadline day.
Real Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon has claimed the relevant documents were sent but a West Ham computer problem stopped the deal going through.
However, the Hammers believe that the appropriate paperwork has been submitted on time, and are hopeful that Fornals’ return to the Spanish top flight can be given the green light after four-and-a-half seasons in Stratford.
La Liga’s website states that transfers are provisional until the paperwork is finalised and a deal sheet must arrive fully completed before the transfer window closes at 11 pm UK time.
Once the sheets arrive, clubs have a further two hours – 1 am UK time – to submit the full paperwork.
If a Spanish club is looking to complete an international transfer, they still have to comply with the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) deadline of midnight.
The 27-year-old was in attendance for West Ham’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth on Thursday evening (1 February), but was not included in the matchday squad.
Fornals has made 203 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2019, scoring 23 goals and providing 19 assists.
He has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season, 11 of which were starts, and was expected to be sold in the winter window after the arrivals of Mohammed Kudus and James Ward-Prowse in the summer.
West Ham remain sixth in the Premier League table following their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on Thursday (1 February).
They are next in action against Man United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon (4 February).
In other news, Sources: Liverpool set sights on West Ham chief amid David Moyes whispers.
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