Tottenham will get a free run at brilliant Ukraine star Ruslan Malinovskyi after London rivals West Ham were ruled out.
London rivals Spurs, West Ham and Arsenal have been linked with two prominent Ukraine stars in the January window.
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur were heavily linked with a move to sign Atalanta attacking midfielder Malinovskyi in the summer.
And both West Ham and Arsenal have been linked with Mykhaylo Mudryk until it became clear only the Gunners – or one of the European elite – would be winning that particular race.
Tutto Atalanta claimed that Atalanta wanted demanding around €35 million (£30 million) from the Hammers for 29-year-old Ukraine star Malinovskyi.
But Calcio Mercato then reported that Tottenham boss Antonio Conte was rivalling West Ham’s interest in the Serie A midfield star.
A new report this morning from Calciomercato.com – as also reported by The Daily Mail – claimed West Ham and Tottenham are set to renew their battle to sign the player this month.
But Tottenham will get a free run at brilliant Ukraine star Malinovskyi after London rivals West Ham were ruled out.
Fellow Hammers website Claret and Hugh has close contacts within the West Ham hierarchy.
And they exclusively claim their top source at West Ham has informed them that reports they are battling Spurs for the midfield ace are ‘wide of the mark’ and ‘nothing more than speculation at this point’.
“West Ham sources have confirmed that speculation linking the club with a bid for Atalanta star Ruslan Malinovskyi is just that: Speculation…” Claret and Hugh state.
“Right now any deal for Malinovskyi looks very unlikely. Were that to change, we’ll be the first to let you know.”
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano recently claimed Malinovskyi ‘dreamed’ of joining Tottenham.
With Malinovskyi’s contract up at the end of the season, the £30m West Ham were quoted for him in the summer always seemed steep.
So it was no surprise when David Moyes stepped away from the deal.
Spurs were reportedly quoted around £18 million according to The Express.
With a free run at the player, don’t be surprised now to see Tottenham get their man. But it would be a stretch were any outlets to suggest Spurs have beaten the Hammers to his signature – because it seems we were never really and truly in for him in this window in the first place.
