West Ham United manager David Moyes has already spoken to Hans Vanaken repeatedly
West Ham boss David Moyes has already spoken to Hans Vanaken multiple times over a proposed move to east London, according to The Times.
The Belgian is convinced over the deal but the club still needs to reach an agreement with Club Brugge about a fee to sign their captain, with multiple bids already rejected.
After an initial offer of €10million was turned down immediately by the Jupiler Pro League champions, the Hammers went back with a new €11million plus add-ons offer [Fabrizio Romano].
According to The Times however, the Belgians were expected the increase from first to second bid to be more than £1million [€1.2million].
They have apparently gone as high as £10.8million [€12.8million] without success as Brugge do not want to sell, but the player is keen to move abroad in what would likely be his last opportunity at the age of 30.
Convince
Clearly the issue here is not on the player side, but given how important the man who has scored over 100 times from midfield is to them the club aren’t going to let him go easily.
This late in the window it is perhaps no surprise that they are asking for more than the Irons think he is worth, but if Moyes wants him at this stage they will probably have to pay.
It can’t be helping matters in these negotiations if the Belgians are seeing West Ham offering massive amounts more to Lyon for Lucas Paqueta.
Clearly they are different players but it gives away the fact that there is plenty of money to spend, and the comparatively small gap between what has been offered for Vanaken and the supposed €20million asking price might give them greater resolve to accept nothing less.
Moyes has confirmed that he wants both of the attacking midfielders so if he gets his wish this is going to be an expensive end to the window.
Vanaken has more than proven himself in Belgium, and has 21 international caps with five goals, but his lack of experience in one of the top five European leagues may be counting against him.
If this one doesn’t get done it looks like it will be a bigger let down for the player than for the Irons this time, especially if they are successful in landing Paqueta, but with a few days to go and more money emerging, the door is still open for both.