Dithering disaster for David Moyes as Newcastle swoop to close in on West Ham’s number one transfer target Harvey Barnes.

West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for flying attacker Harvey Barnes following his relegation with Leicester City.

And when Spurs got a £40m deal done with Leicester for James Maddison it showed West Ham the Foxes were open for business.

Newcastle United had looked to be a real problem for the Hammers, though, with Eddie Howe also rumoured to be interested.

West Ham have been leading the race for Barnes since the end of last season

Last month journalist Matt Law had claimed West Ham were leading the race for Barnes, but warned Newcastle were also circling.

Then The Guardian stated West Ham boss David Moyes wants to wrap up a deal to sign the 25-year-old England international as soon as the Declan Rice deal was done.

Newcastle’s transfer focus has been elsewhere securing the £55m signing of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali.

But despite both The Telegraph and talkSPORT claiming West Ham were closing in on the exciting capture of Barnes, there has been an unwelcome twist overnight.

Dithering disaster for David Moyes as Newcastle swoop to close in on West Ham’s number one transfer target Harvey Barnes

It’s a dithering disaster for Moyes as Newcastle swoop to close in on West Ham’s number one transfer target Barnes.

The transfer window opened for domestic deals in the middle of June. But West Ham have taken their sweet time and it could prove very costly indeed.

Because journalist Jacob Steinberg is claiming that Newcastle have now overtaken West Ham in the battle for Barnes.

Steinberg says West Ham have merely ‘explored a move’ for the winger. And that has left the door open for the Magpies to swoop.

Hammers must throw everything at rescuing a deal for prime target Barnes

His report in The Guardian states that Barnes is Howe’s priority now the Tonali signing is complete.

Not only that but Howe is said to be making space for Barnes by potentially entertaining offers from Saudi for Allan Saint-Maximin.

While there is still a chance West Ham could sign Barnes, the Hammers must throw everything at rescuing a deal.

The club has a tendency to drag its heels over transfers. And the wait until July 1st to appoint Tim Steidten as technical director with overarching responsibility for recruitment has not helped in that respect.

Let’s hope Moyes, Steidten and David Sullivan can get their heads together and persuade Barnes the London Stadium is the right place for him next season.