Report: West Ham will not sign Barcelona defender Moussa Wague

The Guardian have claimed on their deadline-day blog (Friday, 4:52pm) that West Ham United have been blocked in their pursuit to sign Barcelona right-back Moussa Wague, due to work permit issues.

Wague, 21, joined Barcelona in the summer of 2018 from Belgian side KAS Eupen for a fee believed to be in the region of £4.5million. He made three senior appearances for the club last season, and three more this time around.

The 14-time Senegal international was being linked with a move to West Ham, who are desperate to sign a right-back. Ryan Fredericks has struggled with injury, while Pablo Zabaleta turned 35 earlier this month.

Wague, who is behind the likes of Nelson Semedo and Sergi Roberto, was in the process of completing a loan-to-buy deal with West Ham – with an option to buy for £15.1million. However, that deal has hit the skids, due to work permit issues.

TBR’s view – Blow for West Ham, Wague would have solved RB issues

The Hammers desperately need a new right-back and although the focus is on getting a deal for Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen over the line, a right-sided defender is just as important. Landing the young star from Barcelona would have been top business.

Being able to sign the African defender for a fee of £15million permanently would have also been decent work by The Hammers hierarchy – so it comes as a huge blow to West Ham that they have been blocked in a move to land Wague.

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