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West Ham have one clear advantage over Chelsea in Leon Maloney transfer chase
WEST HAM could beat Chelsea to the signing of Portsmouth winger and rising star Leon Maloney as the Blues' transfer embargo might allow Manuel Pellegrini to act fast and get in ahead of Frank Lampard.
West Ham gear up for the new season in China training session
West Ham are looking to sign Portsmouth academy star Maloney, but they’ll face competition from Chelsea, according to The Sun.
The 18-year-old impressed the Premier League clubs by scoring 26 goals for Pompey’s academy side last season, despite spending as a wide midfielder.
Chelsea have been interested in signing Maloney, after they received a number of scout reports suggesting that he could develop into a top player.
The Hammers have now joined the race for the young Englishman, and will be looking to seal the signing before next summer.
West Ham could convince Maloney to move to the London Stadium
Chelsea won’t be able to make any signings until summer 2020, after FIFA handed them a transfer embargo, thus giving West Ham an advantage.
If West Ham can convince Maloney to move to the London Stadium sooner, rather than later, they’ll beat Chelsea to his signature.
But, Pellegrini also faces competition from Dutch second division side Volendam.
Volendam are currently managed by the former Head of Academy at Ajax, Wim Jonk, who was also the man who coached Matthijs de Ligt and Frankie De Jong.
Jonk is desperate to sign Maloney before any bigger clubs get the chance, as he sees huge potential in the youngster.
Fulham are also believed to be interested in the winger, who has just one year left on his current scholarship deal.
But Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has already earmarked the 18-year-old for his first team plans in League One next season.
Meanwhile, West Ham have freshened up their squad for the new season, as they look to finish higher in the Premier League than last year’s 10th place.
The Hammers have welcomed two new fresh faces to the London Stadium, Pablo Fornals and Sebastien Haller.
Fornals will add more creativity to the West Ham midfield alongside Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson.
Haller, meanwhile, was brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt for £45m, as a direct replacement for Marko Arnautovic.
Arnautovic was sold to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG after handing in his second transfer request within six months.