Moyes facing a big front or back decision

Manager David Moyes – no doubt with some help from de facto director of football David Sullivan – has to make up his mind whether he will find around £15 million plus agents fees for Josh King or spend the majority of his budget on a defender or two.

ClaretandHugh has learned that King won’t be allowed to leave Bournemouth on the cheap despite prices as  as low as £10 million having been mentioned.

There have been reports today from the London Evening Standard that the Irons have started talks with King’s agent Jim Solbakken.

But were Moyes to give the nod to a signing it would see him moving in a totally different direction to the defensive priorities he has been regularly discussing during the transfer window.

With around £30 million available the Hammers are continuing to chase a number of players and it seems unlikely that the manager will be tempted into blowing the majority of it up front.