Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - February 22, 2022, Lille's Amadou Onana looks dejected.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has provided an update on the West Ham United pursuit of Lille midfielder Amadou Onana.
The lowdown: Wanted man
Previously linked to Leicester City, Everton and Liverpool in this transfer window, Onana has also been at the forefront of the Hammers’ targets throughout the duration of the summer.
In fact, the east Londoners are believed to have made numerous bids for the 20-year-old senior Belgium international who has already amassed 106 professional domestic outings across spells with Hamburg, Hoffenheim and current employers Lille.
After seeing their two opening offers for Onana rejected, Sheth has shed some light on the current state of play…
The latest: ‘Still in conversation’
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Sheth claimed that West Ham are awaiting a response to their third bid and remain keen on bringing the one-cap starlet to the London Stadium.
He said: “That one is still in conversation, as it were. They had two bids rejected.
“The latest one was around £25 million, but West Ham actually went in with the third bid, and that was around €38 million plus add-ons. Now, they still have not heard back from Lille to see whether that bid has been accepted or rejected.”
The verdict: Fingers crossed
With growing uncertainty surrounding the future of contract rebel Tomas Soucek and having already lost Mark Noble to retirement, adding another competent central midfielder to accompany the signing of Flynn Downes suddenly appears a priority for the Irons.
West Ham also rejected the opportunity to keep Alex Kral following his failed loan spell at the club, leaving Moyes somewhat bereft of options in the midfield department beyond talismanic superstar Declan Rice and Soucek.
Standing at 6 foot 3 and still some way from entering his peak, the underlying statistics behind Onana make for impressive reading as the towering Belgian possesses imperious aerial ability as well as strong tackling and passing qualities (WhoScored).
Last season, the youngster – who has been likened to Liverpool star Fabinho by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – won 3.4 duels on average per Ligue 1 outing whilst earning a 6.85 Sofascore rating.
Predominantly operating as a holding midfielder, Onana would be the perfect acquisition for the Hammers to supplement the potential attacking arrival of Gianluca Scamacca as someone capable of making an instant impact but also being allowed time to enjoy an adaptation period to the Premier League.
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