According to Sacha Tavolieri, West Ham almost signed Thomas Foket on transfer deadline day but were unable to agree a fee with Stade Reims.
What’s the story?
Well, the Belgian journalist believes David Moyes came close to adding another signing to the likes of Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.
Tavolieri believes the east Londoners were willing to spend €3.5m (£3m) on Foket – who has already entered the final 12 months of his contract with the Ligue 1 side – but Stade Reims demanded €6m (£5m) to sell their No.32 so late in the window.
It is also said that the right-back had a three-year contract waiting for him at the London Stadium if West Ham had managed to strike an agreement with the French side.
Ultimately, no move materialised, and Foket now looks set to leave on a free transfer in 2023 unless he agrees a new contract with Stade Reims.
The Belgium international was not the only right-back on West Ham’s radar before yesterday’s 11pm deadline.
In addition to Crystal Palace, the Hammers made an approach to Manchester United for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, although Erik ten Hag decided to keep the Englishman at Old Trafford.
Interestingly, Moyes actually had plans to use Wan-Bissaka in the centre of defence, a potentially wise move given the 24-year-old’s lack of attacking quality.
West Ham can revisit Thomas Foket deal
In our view, West Ham were right to refuse paying the £5m asking price – as cheap as it may seem.
Moyes already has Vladimir Coufal and Ben Johnson in his right-back department, while Harrison Ashby – who was the subject of late interest from Newcastle – is another option in that area.
Furthermore, there was little point in spending £5m on a player who will be available for free in less than 12 months, so the Irons were sensible to walk away.
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