West Ham United targets Amadou Onana and Lewis O’Brien wanted at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are after West Ham midfield targets Lewis O’Brien and Amadou Onana according to The Athletic’s Danny Taylor.
The Hammers had a £20million bid rejected for the latter, while the Huddersfield Examiner’s back page on 9 June put the club in the running for the former.
Although Flynn Downes was signed this week to strengthen the centre of the side that still only leaves three senior options at that position, and the summer could yet see Tomas Soucek leave and reduce that number to two.
But if the club want to get in for either Huddersfield’s O’Brien or Lille’s Onana they are going to face new competition from Forest.
The newly-promoted side are now focusing on the midfield position as a “priority” after completing deals for defenders Omar Richards and Neco Williams.
Weakness
Although the star of the side, Declan Rice, is a central midfielder there is not much in terms of depth in that area.
Downes is a very exciting signing who should feature heavily in the new season, but with Soucek’s position getting “bleaker and bleaker” [Claret & Hugh] that arrival looks like it will only keep the club from being being weakened rather than actually boosting numbers.
Conor Coventry may get a chance at more opportunities, but with club-legend Mark Noble now retired and ineffective loanee Alex Kral’s temporary deal done, David Moyes is surely going to need at least one more strong option.
Competition is increasing for both of these two targets, with O’Brien appearing the priority for Steve Cooper’s side.
TEAMtalk reported on 1 June that the 23-year-old had a £12million release clause, which would make him an affordable option for many sides, not least Premier League outfits.
The previous failed bid for Onana suggests that he is the one that Moyes prefers though, although it appears he is going to cost at least double.
West Ham are getting their business done gradually but things would certainly look more comfortable once they can get another midfield option through the door to follow Downes.