---
title: "West Ham: Irons make Attila Szalai offer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-attila-szalai-hans-vanaken-transfer-gossip-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-08-29T11:15:44Z"
modified: "2022-08-29T11:15:44Z"
---

# West Ham: Irons make Attila Szalai offer

**[West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) have reportedly made an offer to sign Fenerbache defender Attila Szalai, according to a report from Turkish outlet [Sabah](https://www.sabah.com.tr/galeri/fenerbahce/son-dakika-fenerbahce-transfer-haberleri-fenerbahcede-szalai-gidecek-o-yildiz-gelecek-yeni-stoper-italyada-bulundu/6).**

### The lowdown: Career so far

[Signed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/attila-szalai/transfers/spieler/263380) from Cypriot club Apollon Limassol for just shy of £2m in January 2021, the Hungary international had previously spent the majority of his career at Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna.

The 24-year-old has already become an integral part of the Istanbul giants’ line-up, amassing [74 outings](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/attila-szalai/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/263380) in a short spell in Turkey.

Having previously been a target for [Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-szalai-ac-milan/), it now appears as though the Hammers are stepping up their own interest in Szalai, alongside their pursuits of [Lucas Paqueta](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-lucas-paqueta-hans-vanaken-transfer-gossip-news-updates/) and [Hans Vanaken](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-hans-vanaken-lucas-paqueta-transfer-gossip-news-updates-2/)…

### The latest: Offer made

As per [Sabah](https://www.sabah.com.tr/galeri/fenerbahce/son-dakika-fenerbahce-transfer-haberleri-fenerbahcede-szalai-gidecek-o-yildiz-gelecek-yeni-stoper-italyada-bulundu/6), West Ham are believed to have an offer ‘on the table’ for the [27-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/attila-szalai/nationalmannschaft/spieler/263380/verein_id/3468) ace.

It’s claimed that the Irons’ bid is worth in the region of €16m (£13.6m), whilst Zenit Saint Petersburg are also in the mix for the Hungarian.

The report adds that it is ‘highly likely’ that the centre-back – who was hailed as an [‘exemplary’](https://twitter.com/sercanhamzaolu/status/1370314978700447747) operator by Fenerbahce legend Emre Belozoglu – will leave for an ‘astronomical transfer fee’ this summer.

[West Ham latest updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-latest-updates-2/)

### The verdict: Fingers crossed

Despite the best efforts of David Moyes, Rob Newman and GSB to bolster the defensive department, [injuries](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) to Nayef Aguerd, Craig Dawson and now [Ben Johnson](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/west-ham-ben-johnson-reaction/) have already decimated the options at the London Stadium.

Add a [returning](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/news/angelo-ogbonna-injury-update-forest-24749561) Angelo Ogbonna into the mix and West Ham currently are bereft of reliable options at the back, particularly ahead of what looks certain to be a testing campaign with Europa Conference League football also on the schedule.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375613″\]

So far this season, Szalai has [scored once in nine appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/attila-szalai/leistungsdaten/spieler/263380) across all competitions, winning 2.7 duels and making 2.7 clearances and one tackle per league outing whilst earning a 6.63 [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/attila-szalai/823092) rating.

Standing at an imposing [6 foot 3](https://www.eurosport.com/football/attila-szalai_prs448157/person.shtml), the powerful defender has previously been dubbed the ‘[Hungarian Van Dijk](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/attila-szalai-chelsea-van-dijk-25662539)‘ and certainly looks to have all the [attributes](https://www.foottheball.com/players-in-focus/attila-szalai-hungary-defender-profile-analysis-prediction-skills-potential-transfer-june2021/) necessary to thrive in the Premier League.

Valued at £10.8m and under contract until 2025 ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/attila-szalai/marktwertverlauf/spieler/263380)), at anything like the mooted price this would be a superb piece of business from the east Londoners.