West Ham United are close to signing attacking midfielder Darius Olaru from Romanian club FCSB, according to Sport.ro.
The Hammers have found plenty of value in Eastern Europe of late and, after snapping up Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal in bargain deals, it seems another under-the-radar talent could be about to arrive at the London Stadium.
A skilful attacking midfielder who thrives when wriggling out of the tightest gaps, 22-year-old Olaru only joined the club formerly known as Steaua Bucharest 12 months ago.
But the 26-time Romanian champions are set to make a substantial profit on a player who only arrived from Gaz Metan in a £500,000 deal in January 2020.
Sport claims West Ham are “very close” to making Olariu their second winter signing following Denmark U21 centre-back Frederik Alves Ibsen.
There’s still work to be done, however, as outspoken FCSB owner Gigi Becali can make Aurelio de Laurentiis appear a soft touch.
“If I receive €10 million (£9 million), I will sell Olaru,” says Becali, who was asking for about £6 million only a few weeks ago.
Perhaps interest from the Premier League has convinced Becali to raise his demands for Olaru. West Ham aren’t short of a bob or two following the £20 million departure of Sebastien Haller to Ajax.
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