West Ham United co-chairman David Gold still expects to land primary summer transfer target Enner Valencia despite the anxious wait for a work permit.
A bid in the region of £12million has been accepted for the Pachuca and Ecuador striker, who scored all three of his national side’s goals in this summer’s World Cup.
Personal terms have also been agreed and he has been in the capital for his medical, but the Hammers are not yet able to unveil him as their own player until a permit has been granted by the Home Office.
Veteran entrepreneur Gold still has high hopes of bolstering his club’s attack with the eagerly-anticipated acquisition of Valencia and said on Twitter: “I would be disappointed if (the work permit) is not granted.”
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is in the process of reshaping his squad after an inconsistent 2013-14 campaign which saw them flirt with relegation from the top flight yet reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.
They boasted a highly-impressive defensive record but under-performed in front of goal, prompting the end-of-season appointment of their former striker, Teddy Sheringham, as an attacking coach.
The Hammers hope the arrival of Valencia will also improve matters in the final third of the pitch.