Belgian giants Club Brugge have reportedly turned down an offer worth €10 million from West Ham United for Hans Vanaken.
According to Belgian outlet Het Belang van Limburg, as relayed by Sport Witness, Hans Vanaken is the subject of interest from West Ham United over a possible move in the ongoing transfer window. The Hammers recently submitted a bid worth €10 million for the 29-year-old midfielder, only for Club Brugge to knock back the offer.
Hans Vanaken spent most of his formative years in the Netherlands, progressing through the ranks at PSV Eindhoven before graduating from the Lommel United academy over half a decade ago. The Belgian midfielder has spent his entire professional career thus far in his homeland, with most of those years being with Club Brugge.
The 29-year-old has become an institution at Club Brugge, turning out more than 300 times for the Belgian giants while scoring over 100 goals. Vanaken’s progress at Club Brugge over the years has not gone unnoticed, with several clubs across Europe, including West Ham United, setting their sights on him.
The Hammers have already bolstered their midfield once this summer by signing Flynn Downes from Swansea City. But the 23-year-old is one for the future and has essentially replaced Alex Kral in the first-team squad following the Czech midfielder’s disastrous loan stint with West Ham in the 2021/22 season.
But with Mark Noble hanging up his boots after spending his entire professional career with West Ham, the Englishman has left a gaping hole in the east London club’s midfield department. Several midfielders, including Matheus Nunes, have thus emerged on West Ham’s radar this summer, with Vanaken also a viable target.
The 29-year-old is at the peak of his powers and will bring a wealth of experience to the London Stadium if he joins West Ham. While the Hammers do not have any shortage of alternatives for the midfield department, including Moises Caicedo, signing Vanaken might be the ideal decision. But West Ham will need to raise the offer to sign the Belgian midfielder after Club Brugge rejected their initial €10 million bid.
It is unclear if West Ham will submit an improved offer to sign Vanaken from Club Brugge. But prising the Belgian midfielder away from the Jan Breydel Stadium might be a tall order for West Ham as they look to efficiently finish their summer transfer business.
