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‘I’d never say no’: £9m midfielder asked about reported West Ham interest

Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images
Photo by Ian Walton - Pool/Getty Images
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Photo by Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Steaua Bucharest midfielder Darius Olaru has admitted that he would not turn down an offer from the Premier League when quizzed about reported interest from West Ham United, as he told FRF.

Well, this was a bit of a strange one.

Back in January, Romanian publication Sport claimed that West Ham were ‘very close’ to making Olaru their second winter signing, after the arrival of Denmark U21 international Frederik Alves Ibsen.

But, when the window slammed shut a few days later, the technically-gifted 23-year-old was nowhere to be seen at the London Stadium. It remains a mystery why the deal didn’t happen. Or, in fact, how interested West Ham really were.

Two months later, Olaru has finally broken his silence. And if the Hammers firm up their interest next summer, the former Gaz Metan starlet would be packing his bags in an instant.

“I don’t know if the English championship would fit me well, but I would never say no to a possible transfer there,” the Romania U21 international admitted when asked about the links with West Ham, translated by DigiSport.

“But I like Spain more.”

Photo by Alex Nicodim/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A skillful, squirreling little play-maker who can wriggle through the tightest of gaps with the ball at his feet, Olaru looks perfectly suited to life in La Liga. He has also scored a career best seven goals for league leaders Steaua Bucharest this term.

But, with Manuel Lanzini, Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals already plying their trade in claret and blue, West Ham are overloaded with gifted attacking midfielders – and that is without mentioning Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard.

“If I receive €10 million (£9 million), I will sell Olaru,” said FCSB owner Gigi Becali.

Jesse Lingard
Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images