---
title: "West Ham: Irons see Hans Vanaken bid rejected"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-irons-see-hans-vanaken-bid-rejected/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Premier League News"
published: "2022-08-16T10:20:15Z"
modified: "2022-08-16T10:20:15Z"
---

# West Ham: Irons see Hans Vanaken bid rejected

**West Ham have had a bid rejected for Club Brugge’s Hans Vanaken, according to [Sky Sports News](https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1559447375684554752).**

### The lowdown

Vanaken, 29, is [primarily an attacking midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hans-vanaken/leistungsdaten/spieler/137576/plus/0?saison=ges), but he can also operate from a slightly deeper role in the middle of the park or in a variety of attacking roles on the flanks and behind the striker.

The versatile 29-year-old has [three years left on his contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hans-vanaken/leistungsdaten/spieler/137576/plus/0?saison=ges) with the reigning Jupiler Pro League champions Brugge.

He’s been with the club since 2015, but Sky Sports report he’s now thought to want a move to the Premier League.

### The latest

[SSN revealed live on air](https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1559447375684554752) on Tuesday morning that West Ham have been unsuccessful with an offer of roughly £8.4million.

*“Some breaking news just reaching us concerning a player we mentioned earlier on this hour.*

*“Club Brugge have rejected West Ham United’s opening offer for the midfielder Hans Vanaken.*

*“The bid for this one \[is\] thought to be in the region of about €10million.”*

Continued: *“Growing belief the player wants to play in the Premier League, but we’re just hearing that has been rejected.”*

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

### The verdict

West Ham should be wary of overpaying Vanaken, purely on the basis that he’ll turn 30 on 24 August, at which point he’ll be [leaving his theoretical peak window](https://theathletic.com/2935360/2021/11/15/what-age-do-players-in-different-positions-peak/).

But a slightly improved bid is advisable, because this is a deal that would significantly improve West Ham’s depth as they potentially embark on another European campaign.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”375613″\]

He [scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hans-vanaken/leistungsdaten/spieler/137576/plus/0?saison=2021) for Brugge in all competitions last season, netting three times in the Champions League group stages (against Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and RB Leipzig – quite the level of competition).

Vanaken has also made his mark at international level, notching [21 caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hans-vanaken/nationalmannschaft/spieler/137576), five goals and six assists for [one of the best sides in the world](https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men?dateId=id13687) in Belgium.

Sports journalist [Josh Bunting](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball/status/1442999245708083201) has hailed him as a ‘catalyst’ and a ‘real stern leader’, and those are qualities David Moyes might relish too.