West Ham United have agreed a deal with Viking for winger Edvin Austbø, with the 21-year-old now set to travel to London for a medical.
ExWHUEmployee reports that Viking have accepted West Ham’s offer, believed to be worth around £10million, after talks accelerated during the final days of the transfer window.
Norwegian journalist Hans Jørgen Anthony Borchgrevink has also reported that the clubs have reached an agreement and that Austbø has been given permission to travel for medical tests.
West Ham agree Edvin Austbo transfer
The breakthrough represents significant progression after West Ham’s opening offer was rejected earlier this month.
The Hammers initially submitted a bid worth around £8m for Austbø, but Viking stood firm over one of their brightest young talents.
Austbø subsequently opened the door to joining West Ham, admitting the Hammers were a club that interested him.
Negotiations resumed this week, with West Ham pushing to reach an agreement with Viking before the transfer deadline.
That persistence has now produced a breakthrough.
ExWHUEmployee says Viking have accepted a proposal thought to be in the region of £10m, with Austbø expected in England for his medical before completing the move.
Austbo gives West Ham the winger they have been chasing
West Ham’s need for another wide attacker has been a major theme throughout the closing stages of the window.
Our analysis earlier on Saturday examined how West Ham’s winger search had become a deadline gamble, with Nuno Espírito Santo reportedly keen on Reiss Nelson while other options remained under consideration.
Austbø represents a very different profile.
The Norway Under-21 international is only 21 and offers the pace, direct running and long-term development potential West Ham have been looking to add around established attackers such as Jarrod Bowen and Manor Solomon.
Claret & Hugh describes Austbø as one of West Ham’s primary winger targets and reports that he arrives with European experience after featuring for Viking during their qualifying campaign.
West Ham’s willingness to return after their first offer was rejected also suggests the club view him as more than a late-window fallback.
Medical now stands between Austbo and West Ham move
The transfer is not complete yet.
Austbø must still undergo his medical and finalise the remaining formalities before West Ham can announce him as a new signing.
However, the most difficult part of the negotiation now appears to have been resolved.
After weeks of interest, a rejected bid and renewed discussions, West Ham finally have an agreement with Viking.
If the medical proceeds without issue, Nuno should soon have the additional winger his squad has been lacking ahead of a long Championship promotion campaign.
