Club Brugge star Hans Vanaken has been tipped to snub a move to West Ham United, with Gert Verheyen telling Eleven Sports, via Voetbal24, that the midfielder can aim a little higher.
Standing at 6ft 4ins and famed for his ability to make perfectly-timed late runs into the penalty area, it is anyone’s guess why the Hammers would want to sign this experienced Belgium international when they already have Tomas ‘the new Fellaini’ Soucek on their books.
According to the Sun, David Moyes wants a number of new faces through the door before next Monday’s transfer deadline and Vanaken is one of the names on his hit list.
A three-time Jupiler League champion at a Brugge side who were awarded the title on a points-per-game basis last term, Vanaken is 28 and time is running out if he wants to prove himself in a major European competition before it is too late.
But according to Verheyen, a 50-time Belgium international last season managing Oostenden, Vanaken should choose his destination wisely and not merely jump at the chance to join any old Premier League club.
“Everyone thinks that there is never no foreign interest for Vanaken, but I am sure there is,” he says.
“I just don’t think he is eager for that (a move to West Ham) – unless it is an ‘offer you can’t refuse’ from a club that appeals to the imagination.”
Soucek swapped the chance to win silverware and play Champions League football at Slavia Prague for a West Ham side who can probably hope for mid-table at best this season.
It remains to be seen whether Vanaken does the same.
West Ham’s record transfers
- Sebastien Haller
£45 million
- Felipe Anderson
£41.5 million
- Marko Arnautovic
£25 million
- Pablo Fornals
£24 million
- Issa Diop
£22 million
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