West Ham United look set to miss out on the signing of midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, with the former Stoke City star agreeing terms with Ligue 1 side Rennes, according to the Football Insider website.
The Hammers have been desperately searching for players who can strengthen their options in the centre of the park, where they are currently far too reliant on Mark Noble and Declan Rice for comfort.
West Ham boss David Moyes knows that if he is going to ease his team away from relegation trouble in the Premier League this term, he can leave nothing to chance, and that includes not risking an injury to either of his iconic midfield pair.
The Hammers manager does have Carlos Sanchez as another option, but the Colombia international has never really looked like making the grade at the London Stadium, and could well be moved on to free up space in the squad for others to come in.
One man West Ham were said to be extremely keen on is N’Zonzi, a player who is no stranger to the Premier League, having sampled the division during his time with Stoke earlier in his career.
The 31-year-old France international has been on loan at Galatasaray so far this term, but he appears to have terminated that deal early to join the top flight team in his homeland, something that will be a real blow to the Hammers.
There could yet be a flurry of transfer activity before the transfer window slams shut at the London Stadium on Friday night, with Moyes desperate to add pace and power to his squad before they take on Brighton and Hove Albion in a huge Premier League battle on Saturday.
However it appears one man who will not be coming through the door at Hammers HQ is the World Cup winning N’Zonzi.