Sky Sports: Toon target set for medical tonight as Premier League rivals beat Newcastle to deal

Last week, talkSPORT announced that Newcastle were ready to trigger Maxwel Cornet's relegation release clause at Burnley.

However, it looks like West Ham have now beaten us to a deal for the Ivorian international, with Sky Sports revealing that the Hammers have struck a deal with the Clarets on Thursday afternoon.

The player is now travelling to London and expected to complete his medical tonight after West Ham agreed to activate his £17.5m release clause after failing with a loan bid.

North-East reporter Keith Downie admits that Cornet - who played with Bruno Guimaraes at Lyon - had been targeted by Eddie Howe in recent weeks, however it seems he'll be signing for David Moyes instead.

Here's confirmation, via Sky Sports:

It seems we never actually showed a willingness to activate his release clause - The Mail claim we preferred structured payments - and some feel he wouldn't have been a massive upgrade on our current options, however he is versatile, still only 25 and scored nine goals in 26 Premier League appearances in a poor Burnley side last season. He would've been a useful signing, but we'll have to hope Howe has someone better in mind.

Speaking on talkSPORT alongside Jim White and Simon Jordan, Alex Crook has also had this to say about the deal, confirming West Ham have beaten Newcastle, Everton and Nottingham Forest to a deal:

“I’ve been hearing in the last few minutes that West Ham are ready to activate the release clause in the contract of Maxwel Cornet at Burnley.

“£17.5m is enough to get him. This is that left-sided player they’ve been looking at for competition and cover for Aaron Cresswell.

“It looks like Cornet could be on his way to the London Stadium. They’ve seen off interest from Newcastle, Everton and Nottingham Forest."