West Ham pursuit of midfielder derailed as injury news emerges

By Callum O'Connell

West Ham have received further bad news in their pursuit of a number of new midfielders this summer after Scott McTominay was injured in Manchester United’s pre-season loss to Real Madrid, as reported by Simon Stone.

Stone, who is a football journalist at the BBC, shared via his personal Twitter account that McTominay had ended the pre-season game against Real Madrid on 27 July down and in pain, with what seemed to be a knee injury.

This news could come as another blow to West Ham, who have been targeting the Scottish international midfielder to strengthen their side, as a serious injury would take any deal off the table.

FT 2-0. McTominay ends the game down and in pain with what looks like a knee injury.

This news comes following reports that the East London club have pulled out of a deal [Daily Mail, 26 July] for another key midfield target in Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher due to the player’s desire to stay and fight for his place under the management of Mauricio Pochettino in West London.

Reports suggested West Ham had a £37million bid with add-ons rejected by Chelsea for Gallagher, with the club unwilling to increase the bid while Chelsea stand firm in their valuation, and it now appears the player will remain with the Blues.

For McTominay, Manchester United are reported to be asking for £40million, another fee that looks likely for West Ham to be prepared to pay. ExWHUEmployee shared on Twitter recently that the difference between their valuations was clear.

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Now, it appears that West Ham will target a move for Southampton club captain James Ward-Prowse, with a £25million bid tabled recently, largely due to other options seemingly becoming unavailable, but also because he fits the ideal mould for a David Moyes signing.

This could be yet another blow in the pursuit to replace Dealcn Rice.

In other West Ham news, the club have received a response to their £8m+ bid for Serie B player.