West Ham United deal for Amadou Onana is last hope for Hamburg amid financial crisis
German side Hamburg are holding out hope that West Ham complete a big-money deal for Amadou Onana this summer, according to Bild.
They are in the midst of a severe financial situation and the supervisory board at the club has put a stop to all transfer market activity because there is no money to bring anyone in.
The Bundesliga 2 side are due a 20-per-cent sell-on fee from Lille if the Belgian international midfielder moves on as part of the deal that took the 20-year-old to Ligue 1 a year ago for €7million.
With the Hammers reportedly ready to pay €38million (£32.2million) to land the highly-rated youngster, that would mean a significant boost to the Germans’ finances.
According to Bild, Irons bosses are confident of getting their man, who is a top target of David Moyes, but may have to up their offer to €40million.
Hamburg are therefore hoping that a deal goes through and that the final fee is as high as possible as they seek an escape from their situation.
Bonus
West Ham want to add to their midfield and Onana is an attractive option due to his size and youth, while his speedy rise through European football suggests a major talent.
He only has two seasons’ experience in senior football, one in the German second tier with the crisis-struck Hamburg side, and then one in the French top flight, which has already earned him a full international cap.
At the age of 20, standing at over six foot four, and already part of a Belgium midfield alongside stars like Kevin De Bruyne it is no surprise he is attracting attention.
However, nor is it a surprise that he has a sizeable price tag attached, especially considering he has multiple years left on his contract.
Although Moyes has been stung by missing out on his long-term target Jesse Lingard, there is plenty of movement involving the Hammers in the market currently.
The club are willing to spend money and although it is a lot to spend on Onana it could well be a sound investment, and there will be one team in Germany who will be celebrating if it goes through.