Transfer gossip: Newcastle and Hammers battling to sign Jota – Mirror

The Daily Mirror say Newcastle and West Ham are in a “bitter battle” to sign Jota from Brentford.

West London Sport
revealed in June that Newcastle, West Ham and Everton are interested in Jota.

Huddersfield have since also shown an interest in the Spanish playmaker, who has a year remaining on his contract at Griffin Park.

Doubts remain over Jota’s Brentford future

West London Sport also revealed last month that Jota had been left out of the Bees squad for a pre-season friendly at Aldershot because it was believed a bid for him from a top-flight club was imminent.

No offer materialised and he has since returned to action for Dean Smith’s side.

But the interest has remained and the Mirror reports that both Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez and Hammers boss Slaven Bilic are keen to sign Jota ahead of the transfer window closing.