A David Moyes confidant says Newcastle have beaten West Ham to a star Tim Steidten wanted as his first summer signing.
West Ham and Newcastle United have had many a tussle in the transfer market in recent seasons.
The Premier League rivals have been mutually linked with a host of players in previous windows.
Now it seems Newcastle are set to deal a crushing blow to West Ham’s best laid plans ahead of the next one.
Both the Hammers and the Magpies are looking to reinforce their defensive options.
West Ham are selling Thilo Kehrer to Monaco, Nayef Aguerd is expected to be sold, veteran Angelo Ogbonna’s contract is up Kurt Zouma has longstanding knee issues which limit how many games he can play close together.
Newcastle have lost Sven Botman to injury and Eddie Howe is prioritising signing a centre-back when the window opens.
That has put West Ham and Newcastle on a collision course yet again in the transfer market.
Newcastle and West Ham lock horns again
And it seems the Hammers are about to come off worse.
A confidant of David Moyes says Newcastle have beaten West Ham to a star Tim Steidten wanted as his first summer signing.
German technical director Steidten has been a reported target for Newcastle recently amid the departure of Dan Ashworth.
Steidten has committed his future to West Ham, saying he sees his job there as a five-year project.
So Newcastle have done the next best thing, beaten him to one of his key targets – Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
Newcastle beat Steidten to free agent Adarabioyo
That’s according to Scottish journalist Alan Nixon – who counts Moyes among his close contacts.
Back in February, we reported on claims that West Ham have the 26-year-old former Man City youngster lined up as their first summer signing.
Adarabioyo is particularly attractive given he will be available on a free transfer having refused to sign a new deal at Craven Cottage.
Since the links to West Ham, the likes of Spurs, Liverpool and AC Milan have also reportedly shown an interest in Adarabioyo.
The Hammers had a cunning plan to win the race for the 6ft 4in star. They planned to give him big wages and a long contract.
But according to Sun reporter Nixon in an exclusive on his Patreon, the Magpies have swooped to beat West Ham to Adarabioyo.
Magpies swoop to seal deal with £6m salary
“Newcastle United are set to clinch the capture of Fulham centre half Tosin Adarabioyo on a lucrative deal,” Nixon said.
“The Toon hope to have the signature on paper shortly… Adarabioyo has waited for his contract to run out and will now land a wage of around £6 million-a-year, terms that top all rivals.”
This is a crushing blow for Steidten and West Ham.
With a major rebuild on the cards requiring at least 10 players this summer, West Ham need to land as many top players on free transfers as they possibly can.
And Adarabioyo is one of the very best free agents on the market this summer.
The Guardian reported on Monday that he was one of three British-based free transfers the Hammers were looking to try and complete as soon as possible.
