West Ham have been told they will need to pay Eupen £7.87million for Henry Onyekuru to ensure he qualifies for a work permit.
The Nigerian wants to play for the London Stadium side despite reports in Belgium saying Eupen wanted him to go to a more prestigious club.
Onyekuru, who has one international cap, has spoken to Chelsea’s Victor Moses about living in London and has been encouraged to make the move to West Ham where Moses played on loan in 2015-16.
The fee increase is significant as it helps add to the player’s points tally for his work permit application under the totting-up procedure.
Should a player score four points or more the panel can recommend an application is granted.
If the transfer fee is in the top 25percent of all transfer fees to Premier League clubs in the previous two windows, that earns three points but is only two points should it fall between the 50percent and 75percent mark of those same fees.
Onyekuru would also gain three points if the wages being paid to him are in the top 25percent of the top 30 earners at the club.
The 20-year-old scored 25 goals for unfashionable Eupen last season and added 14 assists as they pushed for Europa League qualification.
By Mail
