West Ham United look set to sign Joao Mario while Newcastle United are hesitating over a move for Leicester City striker Islam Slimani.
West Ham have tuned a corner under David Moyes but are still in a relegation dogfight with the likes of Newcastle and nine other teams.
David Moyes and Rafa Benitez have made no secret of the fact they want to bring in new signings before the January transfer window slams shut next week.
Moyes has seen his squad devastated by a glut of untimely injuries of late with Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll out long term joining the likes of Michail Antonio, Winston Reid, Diafra Sakho, Edimilson Fernandes and Andre Ayew on the sidelines.
The Hammers have been linked with more than 40 players this month alone while Benitez has been waiting for the green light from owner Mike Ashley to make signings after the on-off takeover saga at St James Park.
West Ham are reportedly on the verge of completing a real coup with the signing of Portugal star Joao Mario from Inter Milan on loan with an option to buy, as reported by Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, the Magpies had looked set to sign former West Ham target Islam Slimani from Leicester City but are said to have baulked at the fee, as reported by The Northern Echo.
So should Moyes pounce on Newcastle’s hesitancy and make a bid of their own given their acute injury problems and the fact Slimani forged a telepathic and deadly partnership with Mario when the pair played together at Sporting Lisbon.
Slimani celebrates with then Sporting teammate Mario
A quick look back at the pair’s playing history throws up countless videos and stats of them combining as two of Sporting’s key players before their moves to Italy and England respectively.
Hammers co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are under intense pressure from supporters to spend big in the transfer market after broken promises since their move to the London Stadium in 2016.
Snapping up Slimani and Mario would certainly be a good start.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
