Hammers up Gomes offer

West Ham have made a new £20 million offer for Andre Gomes as Manuel Pellegrini attempts to ramp up the pressure on Barcelona for the defensive midfielder.

ClaretandHugh has learned the club are prepared to go higher if required with the manager determined to play the 25-year-old alongside Declan Rice if he is successful in landing the player.

And although the club has heard the same rumours that Everton are easing off in their pursuit of the player they are not taking such speculation too seriously.

We were told by a highly placed source on the phone: “It’s all cat and mouse at this stage of the summer so we can only press on with our own plans. However, a new £20 million bid has been made.

“The manager sees Gomes as his number one target but whatever happens there – and we are hopeful of a deal – a defensive midfielder alongside Declan is a priority.

“We also want to bring in a striker but everything in terms of negotiations for players remains in the hands of the manager and director of football.”