West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed that his side came narrowly close to signing Lille midfielder Ibrahim Amadou on loan on deadline day, but admitted they were unable to complete the move before the cut-off point.
The Hammers did manage to bring in centre-forward Jordan Hugill in the final day of the January transfer window, but Moyes has explained they failed to sign a midfield destroyer from Ligue 1.
“We pushed hard to bring in midfielder Ibrahim Amadou on loan from Lille late in the day but we could not get it over the line before time ran out,” Moyes wrote in his column for the Evening Standard.
Sky Sports’ reliable journalist Kaveh Solhekol reported on deadline day that Amadou had travelled to London late in the evening amid interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace.
The 24-year-old has ended up remaining in France with Lille, where he is the captain of their side.
He is a defensive midfielder renowned for his physical presence and tackling, which is why he can also fill in at centre-back.
OPINION
West Ham narrowly failed to get a deal for Amadou over the line, but should still have enough options in midfield to see them through the rest of the season. The Hammers are just four points above the drop zone as it stands and Moyes needs to ensure his side stretch that lead in the next few fixtures. They face Brighton and Watford in their next two league fixtures, which on paper could be a chance to pick up six points and edge closer to that 40 point mark. West Ham’s survival is the key this campaign, but in the summer during the window they can look at bringing in talented players that can help try get European football at the London Stadium.