West Ham United have reportedly submitted a fresh offer for Belgium attacking midfielder Hans Vanaken, but it has been rejected by Club Brugge.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has offered a fresh update on West Ham United’s pursuit of Belgian playmaker Hans Vanaken. The Hammers have tabled a new bid worth €11 million in guaranteed fee for the 30-year-old plus add-ons, which falls short of Club Brugge’s valuation and has been rejected outright in what is turning out to be quite a transfer saga.
The Belgian outfit are not keen to sell their star midfielder, with only eight days remaining before the transfer window slams shut. But the player is pushing for a move to the London Stadium. However, the 30-year-old is trying to force a move away from Bruges following constructive talks with his club.
Despite heavy investment in the final third this summer, West Ham are the only team yet to score a Premier League goal this season. So, it is very clear why David Moyes needs to bolster his attacking midfield department before the transfer window slams shut.
And it seems as though the Scot has been eyeing the Club Brugge midfielder for some time, while he has also indicated that he would like to make the move to the London Stadium. West Ham already had a €10 million bid for Vanaken rejected by the Belgian outfit, who are in no rush to sell their star man so close to the deadline. Despite this, West Ham continue to make low ball bids.
West Ham have submitted a new bid for Hans Vanaken. €11m guaranteed fee plus add-ons, but it’s not enough to convince Brugge. ??? #WHUFC
It’s unlikely that Club Brugge will let their captain leave 9 days before end of transfer window for anywhere near that offer. pic.twitter.com/plbmAtaTSR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 23, 2022
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder, who is contracted to Blauw-Zwart through 2025, has bagged 102 goals and 73 assists in 345 competitive appearances for the club since arriving in 2015 from FC Lommel. The Belgian midfielder has hit double-digit figures for goals in each of his seven seasons while being deployed primarily in the No. 10 role.
Vanaken’s proven goalscoring record has made him an attractive proposition for a number of top European clubs over the years, but a move never arrived. At 30 years old, he now sees the West Ham move as his final opportunity to take on a fresh challenge.
That said, Club Brugge are reluctant to let Vanaken walk away on the cheap this summer, having already sold Charles De Ketelaere to AC Milan earlier this summer, as well as Stanley Nsoki and Lois Openda to Hoffenheim and RC Lens, respectively. It is understandable why West Ham are digging their heels this time around, with the Belgian international entering his thirties.
But the Hammers are in desperate need of bolstering their options in midfield, with only Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice available in the double pivot post-Mark Noble’s retirement. West Ham must learn the asking price and decide whether to fork out the sum or move on to other avenues with the deadline day on the horizon.
