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West Ham in talks for Moussa Marega, Yacine Brahimi, Joao Felix - sources

Moussa Marega Paulo Oliveira / DPI / NurPhoto via Getty Images

West Ham have sent a delegation to Portugal to tie up deals for Porto pair Moussa Marega and Yacine Brahimi and Benfica's teenage sensation Joao Felix, as well as set up a working partnership with both clubs, sources have told ESPN FC.

The Hammers have enjoyed a productive summer in the transfer window and they have no signs of stopping as they set up an ambitious raid on some of the best talents in Portugal.

West Ham have brought in seven new faces this season and they want to make further inroads into the transfer market by setting up a long-standing partnership with Porto and Benfica.

Boss Manuel Pellegrini has been looking to bring in a new striker to boost his forward options and he has set his sights on Porto hit-man Marega, who is regarded as one of the best finishers in Europe.

The 27-year-old scored 22 goals in the Primera Liga last season to help Porto win the title.


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West Ham are hoping to make it a double raid on Porto by agreeing a deal for Algerian winger Brahimi, who is entering the final year of his contract at Porto, leaving the club ready to cash-in on the attacker.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo reported on its front page on Wednesday that David Sullivan Jr, the son of the club president, was negotiating for Brahimi.

West Ham have held a long-term interest in the 28-year-old and the club are keen to strengthen their attacking options having lost Manuel Lanzini to serious injury earlier this summer.

The Hammers officials have also held talks with Benfica over a move for highly-rated attacking midfielder Felix, sources said.

Felix, 18, is already a Portugal under-21 international and has attracted interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain after impressing in the UEFA Youth League last season

Felix has yet to make a first-team appearance for Benfica, but he is the youngest-ever player to represent Benfica's B team and is seen a potential star-in-the-making in Portugal.

Securing Felix's signature would be a major coup for West Ham as the teenager is regarded as one of the best young players in Europe right now.

West Ham are also in talks to sign Guimaraes forward Xande Silva during their transfer expedition in Portugal, sources said.

Portugal under-21 international Silva joined Guimaraes from Sporting Lisbon in 2014 and he has worked his way up the ranks. The 21-year-old spent last season playing for Guimaraes' B team and he represented Portugal from Under-15 level up to Under-21 level.

Silva is undergoing a medical in Portugal ahead of finalising his move to West Ham with the winger seen as one for the future.