West Ham & Newcastle Battle for Brentford Star Amid Concerns Over Squad Strength

Newcastle and West Ham are set to square off over Spanish playmaker Jota, according to the Daily Mirror.

Due to Newcastle needing more midfield quality and West Ham's apparent fear of losing Manuel Lanzini if Liverpool sell Philippe Coutinho, the two clubs are reported to have started looking at the 26-year-old.

Jota - who has just one season left to run on his contract at Griffin Park - is a ball-player who will add attacking quality to both sides, and rival bosses Rafael Benitez and Slaven Bilic have different reasons for pursuing the deal. Toon Army chief Benitez still believes his promoted Magpies are short of quality.

Benitez will be hoping his fellow Spaniard has the ability to be a real asset to Newcastle and can become a legend in Tyneside. While Bilic is not currently as interested in the pursuit of Jota, that could all change should Liverpool come calling for Manuel Lanzini. 

Bilic wants to make sure West Ham have all positions covered after an underwhelming 2016/17 season. Lanzini is a key player at the Olympic Stadium so losing him could be a huge blow to the Hammers.

The Argentine is rumoured to be on Jurgen Klopp’s hit-list if Barcelona were to succeed in their attempts to capture Philippe Coutinho from the Reds. This is why West Ham are keen to tie down Lanzini on a reported £85k-a-week five year deal. 

Jota is a product of the Celta Vigo youth system and he helped Eibar earn promotion to La Liga while on loan in the 2013–14 season. Both Newcastle and West Ham fans seem quite keen on the prospect of signing Jota.

Jota has scored 23 league goals in 69 appearances for Brentford and has also previously been on loan to Real Madrid. Although the 26-year-old only made three league appearances while on loan at Madrid. 

The English transfer window closes at 11pm on the 31st of August.