Frederik Alves Ibsen will need to obtain a work permit if he’s to complete a January move from Silkeborg to West Ham United, according to TV2.
The 1994 Danish champions admitted on Tuesday their 20-year-old central defender is in negotiations over a transfer that would see him leave Scandinavia on 1 January (BT).
And while Silkeborg were reluctant to confirm West Ham would be his destination, this feels one of the worst-kept secrets in Denmark at the moment.
Alves Ibsen was spotted in London with his agent this week and, according to BT, is due to undergo a medical with the Hammers in the near future.
David Moyes’ high-flying side have also agreed to pay an initial fee of £1 million for a man who is already one of the first names on Silkeborg’s team sheet having only made his senior debut two years ago.
Nothing is done and dusted just yet, however.
TV2 reports West Ham will need to obtain a work permit from the Football Association if they are to bring Alves Ibsen to the London Stadium.
And while this is often a formality, the FA has been known to block a transfer on occasions. In 2019, Wolves’ £6.5 million deal for Lazio defender Wallace fell through after he was refused a work permit.
Alves Ibsen has made four appearances for Denmark at U21 level but has yet to make his senior international bow.
The Daily Mail reports a Leeds United side famed for unearthing rough diamonds – under director Victor Orta – from some of Europe’s lesser leagues are also interested.
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