West Ham are braced for another blow, with Fulham set to make a £7.5million approach for Ravel Morrison and fellow midfielder Mohamed Diame.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is under huge pressure heading into Saturday's trip to Cardiff. He will be loath to lose Morrison but, as Sportsmail revealed on Friday, the former Manchester United youngster is unsettled at Upton Park and has told friends he is ready to quit the struggling club.
Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen, who worked with Morrison at United's academy, is hoping to complete a double swoop before the end of the month.
The Dutchman refused to be drawn on a bid for Morrison but, when asked if the England Under 21 star was a player who needed special attention, he said: 'Yes. It's our responsibility as a coach to create the right environment. Ravel is a very talented player. He loves football and is a delight to coach.'
Morrison's contract at West Ham expires at the end of next season and he is reluctant to sign a new one.
The Manchester-born midfielder announced his arrival on the Premier League stage with a stunning solo goal in West Ham's win at Spurs in October.
And Meulensteen says he always expected as much from Morrison. 'It's not a surprise that he's flourished and is doing well,' he added. 'There is so much more to come from him.
'When you're a young player and you've proved that you can play at this level then you want to get playing; you want to keep on going.'
Fulham, who entertain Sunderland this afternoon, will also look to include Diame in the deal. The Senegal midfielder is also out of contract next summer and Meulensteen said: 'Any player that could be interesting for us and would really, really strengthen us, we will have a good look at.
'It would be daft not to, that's why the transfer windows are there. If things can be done and it's possible then we'll look at it like any other club.'