West Ham have edge over Italian side Fiorentina to land Watford’s Etienne Capoue

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West Ham United have been looking to solve their midfield problems with a move for Watford outcast Etienne Capoue.

David Moyes and Marco Silva

West Ham boss David Moyes has made no secret of his plans to sign a midfielder or two in January.

The Scot has a distinct lack of options in the middle of the park and Watford’s Etienne Capoue is said to be one of Moyes’ top targets with a price tag of around £12 million.

The water was muddied earlier this week when Italian side Fiorentina entered the running.

But it seems the Hammers have the edge over the Serie A club due to finances.

According to Football Italia, the main issue standing in Fiorentina’s way is affording the fee and Capoue’s £2 million a year salary as they are going through a process of ‘general downsizing’.

Those kind of figures would not be an issue for West Ham, though, with co-owner David Sullivan already committed to spending at least £30 million on three or four new signings in January to help the Hammers remain in the top flight, as reported by the Evening Standard.

Capoue has been a key man for the Hornets in past seasons and has also developed his goalscoring ability at Vicarage Road.

But under Marco Silva this season, the 29-year-old Frenchman has been frozen out and is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Watford.

Reports suggest Capoue and Silva had a fall-out after a pre-season friendly back in August so West Ham could be getting something of a bargain if they do push through the move.