West Ham have made an offer to sign Lille enforcer Ibrahim Amadou on loan, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claims that the Hammers have offered £2million up front and are trying to seek an option-to-buy clause worth £14million for Amadou, 24, as David Moyes seeks a last-gasp deal before the 11pm transfer deadline.
It is understood that the Irons are trying to hijack London rivals Crystal Palaces’ attempts to sign the defensive midfielder after the Eagles had a bid knocked back on Sunday.
Amadou is said to be valued at £18million by Lille, who are willing to sanction a loan deal if it includes an option-to-buy clause.
The Ligue 1 club’s captain has made 23 appearances in all competitions this season.
Opinion
Amadou is said to be an in-demand player after a few solid seasons at Lille, but he seems like the kind of player who West Ham really do not need. He is a solid midfielder and can also play at centre-back, but there have to be better options out there for Moyes and his colleagues to pursue. Not many players come over from Ligue 1 and do well in the bottom half of the Premier League. Newcastle’s raid of the French leagues a couple of seasons ago should provide a stern warning as to why it might be a league to avoid scooping up players from. There are exceptions however, and the Hammers will no doubt hope that Amadou can be one if Lille accept what seems to be a very reasonable loan offer.