Lille have reportedly rejected a bid worth €23 million from West Ham United for Amadou Onana, with the Ligue 1 club reluctant to sell their star midfielder.
According to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, West Ham United have had a €23 million bid rejected by Lille for Amadou Onana. David Moyes has been keen on signing the Belgian midfielder to shore up his central areas, but the Hammers will have to negotiate further to acquire his services.
Amadou Onana’s career has finally been getting the recognition it has deserved after a terrific season with Lille. A defensive midfielder by trade, the Belgian international’s qualities could suit many top clubs across the Europe, particularly in the Premier League.
Widespread reports have suggested that Arsenal and West Ham have been interested in the 20-year-old. However, with Onana signed to a long-term deal at Lille, it will be difficult to convince the Ligue 1 giants to part ways with their prized possession.
Arsenal reportedly initiated contact with Onana’s representatives recently, but the Gunners do not have a pressing need to sign a defensive midfielder. However, West Ham may have such a requirement in this window, so they continue to push for a deal.
West Ham United have made a €23m offer for Lille midfielder Amadou Onana. Been told the bid has been rejected with Lille reluctant to sell. West Ham remain interested and are deciding whether to return with an improved offer. #AmadouOnana #WHUFC
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) July 3, 2022
Lille have rejected an offer worth €23 million from the Hammers, as they remain uninterested in selling the midfielder. And with the Ligue 1 giants acquiring decent funds by selling Sven Botman to Newcastle United and may not necessarily feel the need to offload a promising star like Onana.
Onana has four years left on his contract, and Lille could look to keep hold of him at least for another season. And if the Belgian international continues to perform at a high level, his value next summer would be significantly higher than in the current market.
West Ham may have a more pressing need to bring in a defensive midfielder if they lose Declan Rice to a bigger club. The Londoners have already rejected an approach from Chelsea for the England international, but if the Blues end up paying the asking price, a sale could be imminent.
Onana could be a suitable replacement, but West Ham could look to invest the vast funds from a possible sale more efficiently on additional players. As things stand, irrespective of Rice’s future, the Hammers are looking to sign a midfielder and may consider submitting a fresh proposal with improved terms for the Belgian international after Lille rejected their €23 million offer.