West Ham United are now pushing to agree a deadline day loan deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers for Leander Dendoncker as Flynn Downes is now seen to be a work in progress.
West Ham now pushing to loan Dendoncker of Wolves as Downes a work in progress
According to the Evening Standard, West Ham United are making a last-ditch effort to sign Leander Dendoncker on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. David Moyes is keen to get a deal over the line before Thursday’s deadline in a desperate bid for extra midfield depth.
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The Hammers boss has spent the summer striving to strengthen his engine room following Mark Noble’s retirement and sending Alek Kral back to Spartak Moscow. But Moyes is not convinced his £12m transfer from Swansea City, Flynn Downes, is currently up to the task.
Instead, the Irons see Downes as a work in progress and hope to get another body through the door who can push Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. Moyes is reluctant to use his £51m capture, Lucas Paqueta from Lyon, in the deep-lying position in favour of an attacking role.
David Moyes wants loan deal for Molineux man Max Kilman feels is underrated
Dendoncker has emerged as a late window option for West Ham to sign and solve Moyes’ midfield search as the 27-year-old has slipped down the pecking order with Wolves. Bruno Lage recently signed Matheus Nunes off Sporting Lisbon, making the Belgian out of favour.
Thus, Dendoncker is open to a move away from Molineux four years after his arrival in an initial loan that carried a £12m purchase clause. He is eager to continue playing regularly, having started the first two games of the Premier League term before two substitute roles.
West Ham are currently only exploring a deal to sign Dendoncker on loan from Wolves as a deadline day option. Any deal Moyes can agree for the 29-cap international would see the Hammers get a holding midfielder his Molineux teammate Max Kilman feels is underrated.
“Leander’s performances always go under the radar,” Kilman stated, via Birmingham Live. “He does the job and gives you a good performance every time. I’m delighted for him to get his goal [against Tottenham], and glad that people realise how good he has played.”
Kilman added: “He’s brilliant, nothing fazes him. He knows his task and he doesn’t feel the pressure. You can see that when he performs on the pitch. He’s very solid and helps a lot.”
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