West Ham’s relentless transfer window shows no sign of slowing down as Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui make yet another bid.
If you thought West Ham were done with the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka then think again.
The Hammers have been one of the busiest clubs in Europe this summer.
Wan-Bissaka became West Ham’s eighth signing of what many are calling the club’s best ever transfer window.
The 26-year-old right-back has joined the Hammers on a seven-year deal for £15m.
It came just days after what is arguably one of the coups of this window anywhere as West Ham landed French centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice.
Technical director Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui were always planning to make at least eight signings this summer.
That has been the party line from the outset.
But the top spokesman inside West Ham told Hammers News they are still working on several signings because ‘we still need a few more’.
Relentless West Ham now launch £17m bid
Indeed the Irons could end up signing as many as 11 players – if three can be offloaded.
Kurt Zouma is in the process of leaving, Nayef Aguerd is for sale and now it has emerged Konstantinos Mavropanos is up for sale too having failed to convince thus far.
Some feel it is too soon to write the big Greek defender off.
But it has been made clear that should the Hammers field offers which see them recoup their £17.5m outlay, they will be considered.
Despite the arrival of Todibo and Wan-Bissaka, the transfer rumour mill continues to whirr in east London.
Relentless West Ham have now had a £17m bid rejected for the next Todibo.
Hammers make official move for next Todibo
According to an exclusive from SportItalia, the Hammers have moved for young French centre-back Nathan Zeze of Nantes.
The towering 6ft 3in 19-year-old is highly rated in his homeland and broke into the Nantes first team last season.
Steidten has cast his net across all of Europe and South America in search of top young talent.
And now it is being reported he is trying to make Zeze West Ham’s ninth signing of the summer.
It comes after a West Ham insider claimed the club are trying to sign two Steidten centre-back targets before the window closes in addition to Max Kilman.
Todibo has arrived since then and now West Ham want the new Todibo in the shape of Zeze.
The cultured left-footed centre-back has been compared to Todibo in France.
Tall, strong and lauded for his anticipation and a reading of the game which belies his tender years, Zeze is noted for his ability in the air and on the ball.
His passing, both short and long, has earned him favourable comparisons with Todibo.
The report from Italy claims West Ham have leapfrogged Inter Milan with an official offer for Zeze worth £17m.
Nantes has rejected the bid and it is claimed they want another £8-9m.
Bid rejected but Hammers better placed than Inter
The good news for West Ham is that figure is ‘definitely out of the question for Inter’.
This report tallies with the fact the Hammers are looking to sign two central defenders.
And clearly bringing in money from player sales will be key, especially if Nantes hold firm on their valuation.
Young Spaniard Arnau Martinez, is another rising defensive star West Ham are looking at.
The 21-year-old Girona star can play centre-back and right-back and has reportedly been speaking to compatriot Lopetegui about a move.
Marc Pubill, another Spanish defender, has been linked with West Ham and has just seen a move to Atalanta collapse.
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea is a further versatile defender on West Ham’s radar.
One thing seems clear, West Ham are not done yet. Providing some sales can be secured.
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