West Ham United remain in talks with LOSC Lille over their interest in Amadou Onana and are now considering submitting a new bid for the Belgium midfielder over the coming days.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who report the Irons are continuing to hold active talks with Les Dogues as David Moyes bids to strengthen his engine room. But the Hammers are yet to decide how much they are prepared to spend to get the 20-year-old to east London.
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Discussions between the Premier League and Ligue 1 sides have taken place over several weeks. West Ham also formalised their interest during July with an offer worth up to €23m (£19m). But Lille rejected the proposal for Onana, who only cost them €7m (£6m) last year.
West Ham remain interested in Amadou Onana despite Lille rejecting bid
West Ham are really interested in Onana, so are considering making Lille a new bid in the coming days. Foot Mercato note the Hammers have not yet improved their offer since Les Dogues rejected the €23m (£19m) bid. Although reports in England have cited further bids.
In fact, Sky Sports reported Moyes submitted a third offer worth €38m (£32m) before add-ons during July. Lille were seriously considering the improved proposal, too. The Evening Standard even noted the Irons were confident Les Dogues would sell them Onana, as well.
Yet no move is on the verge of completion, still, with several alternative suitors waiting in the wings. 90min – while citing a £50m valuation – have added interest from Everton and Newcastle United. The Athletic have also linked Onana to moves to Liverpool and Arsenal.
It remains to be seen how highly West Ham are prepared to spend to sign Onana from Lille with a new bid possibly on the horizon. He played 31 Ligue 1 games last term after joining Les Dogues from Hamburg in August. Yet the youngster only opened the action 11 times.
Amadou Onana welcomes Ligue 1 exit after Belgians’ past successes
Onana has previously stated he would jump at the chance to sign for the Anfield natives if it became possible. He is keen to follow in the footsteps of previous Belgians who left Lille for Premier League clubs and went on to achieve success, like Eden Hazard and Divock Origi.
“This connection between Lille and the Belgians has always worked very well,” Onana told RMC Sport in October. “There is no reason for it not to work this time.
“These are players who have had a very good career, who are now at Liverpool and Real Madrid. If it goes like that for me, I sign immediately.”
But while Onana would welcome leaving Lille for Liverpool like Origi did for £10m in 2014, West Ham are making the most effort to secure his transfer with a new bid now possible.
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