West Ham United bid for Filip Kostic rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt, club not put off
West Ham United have had an opening bid of £12.6million bid for Filip Kostic turned down by Eintracht Frankfurt, according to The Sun’s Jack Rosser.
Rosser revealed on Wednesday (27 July) that the Hammers have tabled an offer of £10.1million with an additional £2.5million in add-ons.
However, it has been suggested that Frankfurt want £16.8million for the wing-back paid in one instalment.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg has suggested (via Twitter, 27 July) that West Ham intend to go back in with an improved offer for Kostic.
On the low side
The Hammers’ £12.6million bid is potentially a little bit on the low side for a player of Kostic’s calibre.
However, it is important to consider the Serbian’s contract situation in Frankfurt, with his current deal coming to its conclusion next summer.
As much as the Bundesliga side want to hold out for as much as possible, a move away this summer for Kostic is probably their preference considering they could lose him for free next summer.
West Ham will have to pay more than they’ve offered but the £16million mark that Frankfurt are asking for could be haggled down.
Kostic wouldn’t come to West Ham to fill Moyes’ left-back issues, but he would provide the Scot with an immense amount of flexibility when it comes to formations.
He thrives in a wing-back role which could therefore allow Moyes to play a three-at-the-back system with one of Europe’s most potent attacking full-backs.
Whether Kostic will want a move to the Premier League is another question with the Serbian currently playing for a Champions League side.
West Ham must convince him that the ambition at the London Stadium will see him playing at Europe’s top level in a couple of years’ time.
After Moyes has fixed his left sided issues, another centre-back is a must after Nayef Aguerd’s potential three-month absence.