West Ham United wanted Dan-Axel Zagadou and the defender has now become one of Stuttgart’s highest-earners after a recent move.
The Hammers made big moves to strengthen their back line over the summer window.
Two centre backs were added in Nayef Aguerd and Thilo Kehrer before signing a left back in Emerson Palmieri.
David Moyes even considered other signings amid interest in Craig Dawson, but the deadline passed without West Ham adding a new face.
West Ham United wanted Dan-Axel Zagadou
West Ham did though consider free agent additions after the deadline with Moyes still seemingly chasing depth at the back.
Jason Denayer was one option for Moyes having worked together at Sunderland but the bigger rumour surrounded Zagadou.
The French defender – formerly of Paris Saint-Germain – left Borussia Dortmund at the end of his contract this past summer.
A giant left-footed centre back, Zagadou was bound to attract interest but it sounded like West Ham were leading the race.
RMC Sport reported earlier this month that West Ham were close to signing Zagadou on a free transfer.
Instead, Zagadou completed a move to Stuttgart last week as he chose to stay in the Bundesliga rather than move on to another country.
The West Ham rumours amounted to absolutely nothing and it seems a lucrative offer tempted him to join Stuttgart.
Stuttgarter Zeitung report that Zagadou has immediately become one of Stuttgart’s highest earners having made his move to join Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side.
The plan now is for Zagadou to compete with the likes of Konstantinos Mavropanos, Waldemar Anton and Hiroki Ito in Stuttgart’s back line.
Stuttgart seemingly think very highly of Zagadou and have placed him high on their payroll after completing his signature.
Whether the deal was beyond what West Ham could offer is unclear, but Zagadou will seemingly be very happy with the deal Stuttgart gave him; now it’s all about proving he’s worth that cash.
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