By Anthony Onifade

28th Apr, 2023 | 4:10pm

West Ham United £33m bargain on the cards as Ibrahim Sangare transfer news emerges

West Ham United scouts were reportedly present at the Eredivisie clash between PSV Eindhoven and Ajax on Sunday [23 April] to watch Ibrahim Sangare and a potential bargain opportunity could now be on the cards.

The Ivory Coast international’s contract at the Philips Stadion isn’t set to run out until 2027, but as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s best-performing defensive player [WhoScored] he’s been attracting much interest for his assured performances for the Dutch giants.

The 25-year-old has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring four times and providing one assist with his club currently sitting second in the table behind Feyenoord.

The Hammers are resigned to losing captain Declan Rice in the summer with Premier League leaders Arsenal considered the frontrunners for his signature, which leaves a gaping hole in defensive midfield for West Ham United to majorly address this summer.

And Sangare, who has a €37m (£33m) release clause in his contract, is among the targets to replace him with the club sending scouts to watch him in action this past weekend, according to 90Min.

Italian outlet Calciomercato reported on 12 April that any club looking to secure Sangare’s signature would need to submit a £33m bid and given the potential war chest the Hammers could potentially possess this summer, signing the Ivorian midfield destructor seems a no-brainer and an absolute bargain opportunity.

Lauded as a “class act” and someone who can control a midfield by journalist Josh Bunting, and possessing strong qualities in both the defensive and offensive aspects of his game, we think he would be the perfect candidate to lead the West Ham United revolution this summer.

Sangare is remarkably strong in the defensive aspect of his game registering a whopping 65 tackles so far this season, which is far higher than any of his fellow teammates, winning 32 of those – the second-best success rate at PSV, as per FBRef. Overall, his tackling ability ranks him in the 90th percentile across midfielders in European leagues, while Rice sits in the 66th, albeit against superior opposition.

The 6 foot 3 colossus has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s best defensive midfielders and would certainly add a different and perfect dimension to the centre of the pitch at the London Stadium as also shown by his ranking in the 93rd percentile for blocks among players in his position at similar-level competitions over the past year, [FBref].

Given Declan Rice also ranks amongst the best in Sangare’s position, the Hammers would potentially be replacing quality with quality, a tremendous approach which could stand the club in good stead to evolve the squad for next season.

The Ivory Coast international has registered seven goals and provided three assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season, so is able to make a positive difference at both ends of the pitch, meaning the Hammers certainly shouldn’t even have to think twice about wrapping up a deal this summer.