West Ham chairman David Sullivan has asked technical director Tim Steidten to begin talks with Monaco about signing midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to ExWHUEmployee.

Manager David Moyes is not convinced about recruiting the 24-year-old but he could be open to the deal going ahead if Fofana can be signed for a reasonable fee.

From the sound of things, though, that isn’t likely. Monaco have reportedly set a £50m valuation, which is not a price that the Hammers are willing to pay.

There are also plenty of other clubs pursuing Fofana. La Liga sides Sevilla and Atletico Madrid have been credited with an interest, while Steidten’s previous club Bayer Leverkusen could enter the race as well.

Previous reports in the British media have listed Chelsea and Liverpool as potential suitors too, so the France international is a player in demand.

A power struggle is slowing down transfer talks

Although the Irons have plenty of money to spend after the sale of captain Declan Rice to Arsenal, it has been reported that there is friction between two of the club’s key decision-makers.

Steidten and Moyes appear to be at odds in terms of which players should be targeted. The latter wants to focus on Premier League proven players while the former is keener to bring in young players with potential from the continent.

West Ham may have no new signings for the Bournemouth fixture

All of the behind-the-scenes tension may result in the Hammers failing to sign anyone before their first Premier League game of the season.

David Moyes’s side take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in just a week’s time, and the apparent turmoil in the boardroom is certainly not going to help the club’s chances of securing points on the pitch. Things need to be resolved sooner rather than later.