West Ham set to have £20million transfer offer for Lorient striker Terem Moffi rejected with Nice likely to win race for Ligue 1 goal machine

January 16, 2023

Lorient are poised to reject West Ham’s £20million offer for their star striker Terem Moffi, talkSPORT understands.

talkSPORT revealed last week how the Hammers had joined Southampton in the race to bring the Nigerian to England.

AFP

Lorient striker Terem Moffi has been the subject of a £20m bid from West Ham

The 23-year-old has been in inspired form for the Ligue 1 side this season – chipping in with 12 goals in 18 matches.

That is more than double the amount that West Ham pair Michail Antonio and Gianluca Scamacca have between them in the top-flight [5].

David Moyes‘ men are in desperate need of goals having scored just 15 times in 19 games as they sit 18th in the table.

The east London outfit have turned their interest into a formal £20m offer for Moffi.

But talkSPORT understands that the bid is set to be rejected, as Lorient hold out for around £30m.

And West Ham could miss out on the forward altogether with Lorient preferring to sell the nine-cap international to Nice.

With Moffi’s contract at Stade du Moustoir to expire in 2024, Lorient know time is running out if they wish to cash in on him.

And this could be the best chance for them to sell the centre-forward, who has averaged a goal every 116 minutes this term.

Despite achieving maximum points in their Europa Conference League group, West Ham haven’t won in the Premier League since October 24.

And Moyes hinted at bringing in a new striker following the Wolves loss after stating his side need to be more clinical.

He told the club’s website: “I don’t think we have been playing terribly badly.

“But we have not been able to turn our good play [into goals]. We have not been able [to finish our chances].

“The players from our point of view have been great. But because of the standards we have set, the expectations we have set, it does not feel good.

“We need the supporters to stick with us. I know they have been used to a lot better over the last years. If ever we need them it is now.”