West Ham are ‘not put off’ by sensational midfield target Ibrahim Sangare’s new contract according to claims from a journalist.
David Moyes is desperate to bring in several more signings before the summer window closes.
And judging by West Ham’s extremely lacklustre pre-season and performance in the opening day defeat to Man City, he certainly needs them.
One area Moyes is trying to strengthen is central midfield.
The Hammers had looked set to sign giant Lille midfielder Amadou Onana but performed a complete U-turn when Moyes allegedly pulled the plug on a move, clearing the path for Everton to press ahead in signing the Belgian.
West Ham fans quickly forgot about Everton-bound Onana, though, when Moyes was once again linked with PSV midfield ace Sangare as an alternative.
Back in April Calciomercato claimed West Ham were monitoring 24-year-old Sangare with a view to a summer move.
Then on Sunday morning, The Daily Mail claimed West Ham are pushing to sign Sangare from PSV Eindhoven in a £25m deal.
And the report stated the defensive midfielder – who has been described as ‘poetry in motion’ – wants to join the Hammers.
Speaking back in May Sangare admitted it is his ‘dream’ to play in the Premier League.
“Playing in the Premier League is not only a dream of mine but a dream of every footballer,” Sangare said.
“That is the biggest and most important league in the world.”
Hammers fans were hoping £17.5m West Ham new boy Maxwel Cornet could be the club’s inside man to help lure his Ivory Coast teammate to the London Stadium.
There appeared to be a crushing blow for West Ham’s hopes of signing Sangare on Sunday when he signed a new five-year deal with PSV that has allegedly seen his £25m release clause removed (De Telegraaf, The Sun).
But West Ham are ‘not put off’ by sensational midfield target Sangare’s new contract claims a journalist.
In an article for Foot Mercato, journalist Santi Aouna says news of Sangare’s new deal has not ‘scared West Ham off’.
“Shining in the jersey of PSV during the draw conceded by his team against AS Monaco (1-1) during the third round of qualifying for the Champions League, Ibrahim Sangaré decided to extend this Sunday, his contract with the Dutch team,” Aouna writes for Foot Mercato.
“The 24-year-old Ivorian midfielder is now tied to PSV until June 2027.
“News that does not seem to scare West Ham. According to our latest indiscretions, the Hammers are still very keen on the idea of trying to sign the defensive midfielder from PSV.”
Surely, though, after making bold statements about the new contract on social media, PSV will not suddenly sell Sangare to West Ham?
Granted stranger things have happened in football.
And if the Hammers flash enough cash then anything could happen.
But even the player himself has come out and talked glowingly about his new contract and desire to be a champion with the Dutch club.
PSV’s director of football affairs John de Jong admitted Sangare was interesting a number of clubs.
But he states that he is pleased the club now has ‘clarity’ that Sangare will remain with them long-term.
“It is clear that Ibrahim is an interesting player for many clubs, so we are happy that he has chosen to extend his contract,” de Jong said on PSV’s website.
“We have the ambition with PSV to improve ourselves compared to last season and Ibrahim would like to contribute to that. That is why it is so good that he provides clarity to PSV early in August.”
If PSV are playing a game of poker then they have certainly the ones holding all the cards.