OGC Nice are now preparing a sixth bid to sign FC Lorient star Terem Moffi in the final days of the January transfer window. The striker is also a last-ditch target for West Ham United.
That is according to Foot Mercato, which reports Moffi also hopes to clinch a move to Nice very soon. But Lorient have now rejected five offers from Les Aiglons for the 23-year-old to switch Ligue 1 clubs. Yet their reluctance has not damaged the hopes at the Allianz Riviera.
Moffi already sees himself as a Nice player after two-and-a-half years at Lorient. He is also more determined than ever to leave Les Merlus for the Cote d’Azur club. But Nice’s last bid worth €20m (£17.5m) and €3m (£2.5m) in add-ons immediately fell flat at Lorient’s offices.
Nice are now looking to increase their offer once again as Lorient president Loic Fery holds out for €30m (£26.5m). Les Aiglons and Moffi both hope the latest bid proves sufficient for him to move before Tuesday’s deadline. So much so that Moffi has turned down Marseille.
Les Phoceens CEO Pablo Longoria met Moffi for face-to-face talks to discuss a move to the Stade Velodrome. But the striker’s desires to become a Nice player were too strong for the OM chief to change his mind. Now, Moffi’s only hope is that Lorient let him sign with Nice.
West Ham remain keen to rival Nice for Terem Moffi’s transfer from Lorient
West Ham remain keen to rival Nice for Moffi’s transfer from Lorient this month, according to football.london. The Hammers have offered Les Merlus an initial £20m plus £5m in add-ons for his services. Sky Sports also reports that Lorient would accept West Ham’s £25m bid.
The Irons have eyed a deal for Moffi as David Moyes hopes to sign the striker on top of his recent move for Danny Ings. He left Aston Villa for the London Stadium for an initial £12m plus £3m in add-ons. But the 30-year-old has already suffered a knee injury since his move.
Moyes hopes Moffi considers the transfer to West Ham as the Lorient striker has scored 12 goals this season. His haul over 18 Ligue 1 appearances only trails the 13 of Kylian Mbappe for Paris Saint-Germain in France’s top-flight. Lorient host Stade Rennais this Friday night.
So, Moffi could prove to be a valuable and highly-praised addition in east London. Former Lorient manager Christophe Pelissier stated in 2021, via Pulse. “Terem is a man of gold. It’s amazing the state of mind this player has. He ticks all the boxes of the high-level player.”
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