It was not the most inspiring transfer deadline day for West Ham United, with only Preston North End striker Jordan Hugill arriving at the London Stadium.
West Ham United did manage to snap up Inter Milan’s stylish play-maker Joao Mario on loan for the rest of the season but the powerful, imposing midfielder that David Moyes had been hankering for throughout the January window slipped through their grasp.
The Hammers eyed plenty of English-based options last month but none arrived at the London Stadium. Neither did Anderlecht prospect Leander Dendoncker or Lille star Ibrahim Amadou.
Although West Ham’s failure to bring either of the latter duo to the capital is nothing short of baffling.
L’Equipe state that West Ham were keen on Lille captain Amadou and were going head-to-head with Crystal Palace for his signature. The defensive midfielder, who can also play at centre-back, even travelled to London to force through a move to the Premier League, only to return to France with his tail between his legs.
The same publication claimed that a move to West Ham collapsed when Moyes’ side refused to meet Anderlecht’s £20 million valuation for one of the most promising young midfielders in European football.
Owners David Gold and David Sullivan have come under plenty of criticism over the last few years for West Ham’s rather slapdash recruitment policy.
And the club’s decision to turn away from Amadou and then fail to sign Dendoncker only gives the dissatisfied fan base more ammunition than ever.
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