West Ham have agreed a deal “in principle” to loan Benfica midfielder Gedson Fernandes, according to Sky Sports News. It is believed the offer is a straight 18-month loan with no option to buy.

Chelsea have been linked with the 20-year-old in recent days, with some reports even claiming that the Blues had offered a loan deal with a £55m purchase option.

However, it appears the Hammers are now the favourites to land Fernandes, although the Portuguese international still has to agree to move to the London Stadium.

Irons boss David Moyes was asked about progress on the deal yesterday but said he was none the wiser over whether an agreement had actually been reached.

Fernandes has reportedly fallen out with Benfica head coach Bruno Lage, and it has led to the Portuguese side looking at options to offload him in the January transfer window.

The midfielder has started just two league games this campaign, and only made a very brief substitute appearance in Benfica’s last match against Vitoria Guimaraes last weekend.