West Ham United have already reached an agreement with Formose Mendy’s camp and the Amiens defender prefers David Moyes’ side over rival Premier League suitors Southampton, according to Senegalese publication Wiw Sport.
Everton are not the only club who suffered the ignominy of seeing a leading target slip through their fingers this week.
After Arnaut Danjuma got cold feet about a mid-season switch to a managerless and directionless Everton outfit, former Villarreal team-mate Nicolas Jackson is on the verge of joining Bournemouth – rather than The Saints – for a cool £20 million (The Athletic).
Southampton enjoyed an impressive start to the window. Both Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcaraz arrived before the mid-season point. Nathan Jones’ pursuit of further reinforcements is not exactly going to plan, however; Jackson heading to Bournemouth, Terem Moffi too expensive and Senegal international centre-back Formose Mendy holding out for one of Southampton’s relegation rivals.
Southampton and West Ham United are in Formose Mendy talks
The Athletic claimed earlier in January that West Ham had begun ‘talks’ with 22-year-old Mendy. An agreement has reportedly been reached with the Dakar-born defender’s representatives. Though West Ham are yet to close a deal with his current employers; Ligue 2 outfit Amiens.
Southampton are also in talks with The Unicorns. Mendy would prefer to join West Ham instead, however; Craig Dawson’s long-awaited return to the Midlands with Wolverhampton Wanderers opening the door for Mendy’s arrival at the London Stadium.
Mendy, who can also play at right-back, could become the Hammers’ fourth France-based import this season alone. Lucas Paqueta, Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd all joined last summer, from Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennes respectively.
“There are no untransferable players,” admits John Williams, Amiens’ sporting director. “Everything is a question of price. (Mendy) is of interest to a lot of clubs.”
“We know that his potential departure can condition our transfer window,” adds coach Philippe Hinschberger. “Now, I let John (Williams) and the president take care of that.”
