:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6685481/143513593.jpg)
It's been speculated for a while now that Ahmed Elmohamady would be departing the Stadium Of Light this summer as part of Martin O'Neill's rebuilding work, and following his part in Egypt's 2-0 win over Mozambique in a 2014 World Cup Qualifier, he spoke about a move South.
In a brief phone interview following the game, Elmohamady told leading Egyptian Sports Broadcaster "Modern Sport";
West Ham are in talks with me. There could be something next week.
Elmohamady has never shied away from questions about his future, and earlier in the season admitted he was probably on the way out of the North East, which comes as little surprise really.
The 24-year old right back-come-right winger has never really found a great run of form or even managed to hold on to a position in the team with any great security, and if the rumoured fee of anywhere between £1.5m and £2.5m can be met, it would be a good bit of business from our side of things, and for him personally as he's likely to get much more of a game at West Ham.
Much maligned by fans, he could never be accused of not trying, just lacking in quality. Perhaps it will come for him in time, he's still young enough, he just doesn't seem to fit with us, and there's even less chance of him fitting in if we move to O'Neill moves us into more of a 4-3-3 formation as is expected.
The newly promoted Hammers have been linked with Elmohamady from the moment the season ended pretty much, and have also been linked with moves for George McCartney who was on loan there last season as well as Kieran Richardson. Take McCartney, but please stay away from Richardson!
Elmo is currently on international duty with Egypt until June 10th when the Pharaohs play Guinea on that day, but he could be a West Ham player by then if all goes as well as he himself seems to think it is.