West Ham transfer headache with Shakhtar apprehensive to let David Neres and Lassina Traore quit in special window

WEST HAM have got some headaches with their interest in Shakhtar Donetsk pair David Neres and Lassina Traore.

The Ukrainian club are ready to let their players — including the Brazilian and Burkina Faso forwards — go out on deals after a special transfer window opened to allow those caught up in the war to move clubs.

Alamy

West Ham’s move for Shakhtar star Lassina Traore has hit a roadblock[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

David Neres, who has yet to play for Shakhtar after moving in January, is also linked to West Ham[/caption]

And that has also attracted offers from France, Spain and Brazil.

Shakhtar though fear West Ham, who have a settled squad, could minimise the players’ opportunities and risk lowering their value.

So the claims of Lyon, Marseille, Real Sociedad and Corinthians may be more appealing for the troubled Donetsk outfit.

Neres only joined Shakhtar from Dutch side Ajax in the January transfer window for a reported £11million.

But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine soon after means the Brazilian international is yet to play a game for the Ukrainian side.

Traore meanwhile also joined Shakhtar from Ajax, but in last summer’s transfer window.

The striker had been prolific while in action for Shakhtar – netting nine goals in just 14 games for the club.

Sheffield United on Friday became the first English club to sign a foreign player from Russia since Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Fifa announced that Russia-based players could suspend their contracts, initially until the end of the season, in order to let them leave the country.

The Championship promotion-chasers swooped for Croatian international defender Filip Uremovic on a free deal until June.

The 25-year-old had played 21 matches this term for Rubin Kazan in Russias’ top-flight before the invasion of Ukraine started last month.