West Ham dealt blow in unlikely chase of Barcelona outcast

West Ham have expressed interest in signing Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes but will assess other targets after being told he will cost £30m this month, reports The Daily Mail. 

Gomes has failed to live up to the billing at the Camp Nou after making the €35m (£30.5m) move from Valencia in July 2016 and is free to leave if the right offer is made.

Arthur’s expected arrival from Gremio this month will push Gomes even further down the pecking order and West Ham were hopeful of taking the Portugal international on loan for the remainder of the season.

David Moyes’ side are also willing to include a compulsory option to buy in the summer but Barcelona are demanding £30m up front this month, forcing the Hammers to look elsewhere.

Gomes has only started four La Liga matches this season and made just seven appearances as a substitute but appears unlikely to move to the Premier League unless Barcelona reduce their asking price.

Since moving to the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s win ratio is only 66.7% in La Liga with Gomes in the starting XI compared to 83.8% when he has not started.