Congolese international Prince Oniangue is heading for talks with Irons co-owner David Sullivan as the club ponder a £2 million move for the Reims defensive midfielder.
The player has been on the Hammers’ radar for some weeks and the manager and chairman will run careful checks on him before any final decision is made.
The player scored eight goals from 20 games for his club last season has made 14 international appearances for one goal.
And despite French website L’union claiming we have agreed a £2 million fee, Claretandhugh was told this morning that “this is not a done deal.”
A well placed and trusted source said: “The player is certainly going to have talks with the co-chairman and he and the manager will then make up their minds.
“The player is still very raw and its a question of whether the bosses can make the deal cheap enough to take the gamble.”