West Ham United have moved into pole position to sign Adama Boiro, with the Athletic Club defender reportedly missing training as talks accelerate over a Deadline Day move.
The Hammers identified Boiro as their first-choice left-back earlier on Tuesday, with ExWHUEmployee reporting that discussions were under way over a loan containing an option to buy.
There has now been further movement in Spain.
Spanish outlet El Gol Digital reports that West Ham have moved to the front of the queue for Boiro and that, barring a late setback, the proposed season-long loan is expected to be completed before the deadline. Boiro was also absent from Athletic training on Tuesday.
Adama Boiro emerges as West Ham’s preferred left-back
The development represents significant progression in West Ham’s frantic search for a replacement for Malick Diouf.
West Ham completed Diouf’s £40million move to Brentford last week, leaving Ollie Scarles as Nuno Espírito Santo‘s main natural option at left-back.
The Hammers subsequently submitted an offer to sign Anass Salah-Eddine from Roma, but Boiro has now emerged as the preferred option.
West Ham had also pursued Melvin Bard before the French defender chose Leeds United instead.
Boiro, 24, was born in Dakar and joined Athletic from Osasuna in January 2024. Athletic’s official profile lists 45 first-team appearances, while the defender is contracted until 2029. He can operate at left-back or further up the flank.
A loan with an option to buy would also fit West Ham’s Deadline Day strategy, with the club’s remaining business expected to focus heavily on temporary additions.
The Hammers are simultaneously working to complete Morato’s proposed loan from Nottingham Forest.
With the transfer window closing at 11pm BST, Boiro now looks like the player West Ham are pushing hardest to add on the left.
