Maia was linked with a loan move to Newcastle United as recently as Tuesday, but could be bound for West Ham United instead.
West Ham United are set to make Newcastle United-linked Thiago Maia their eighth summer signing, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claims West Ham have agreed a £20 million fee for Maia, the Lille defensive midfielder.
The news comes barely 24 hours after Le10 Sport suggested Maia could head to Newcastle on loan, with a view to a permanent deal next summer.
But the Hammers have taken advantage of Lille’s financial situation to push through a move for the 21-year-old, according to the Sun, with Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez forced to have to wheel and deal.
Maia could replace Cheikhou Kouyate at the London Stadium, after the Guardian reported the West Ham player is set to undergo a medical at Crystal Palace.
And signing the Santos youth product would take the Hammers’ summer spending above the £100 million mark.
He would follow Lukasz Fabianski, Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena, Jack Wilshere, Andriy Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson to Stratford.
Would Newcastle-linked Maia be a good addition for West Ham United?
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