90min football writer Toby Cudworth is adamant that West Ham United will refrain from meeting the asking price for Amadou Onana and will instead focus on ‘other priorities’.
Lille have reportedly set an asking price of £50m for the centre-midfielder, who has already been the subject of two bids from the Hammers.
The first was apparently £19.4m, as claimed by The Athletic, while Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth has since confirmed that the east London outfit have seen a further offer of €30m (£25.3m) turned down.
Sheth noted that the club have not closed the door on returning for the 20-year-old, but has stated that the club are looking at other options as they look to add to the signing of Flynn Downes in an attempt to reinforce a midfield now lacking Mark Noble and Alex Kral from last season.
Cudworth, meanwhile, has claimed that it is ‘common knowledge’ that left-back and striker are also ‘priority areas’ for the Irons – and the journalist has named the man who still tops their list.
Is £30 million too much for Broja?
Yes!
No!
And in response to Lille’s requirements on the Talking Transfers show, he said: “I can’t see West Ham going anywhere near that figure, to be honest. They want to sign more players, yes, but they’ve got lots of other priorities – signing [Armando] Broja being the number-one priority.”
TIF Thoughts on West Ham’s transfer plans…
Having already acquired Nayef Aguerd in defence and the permanent arrival of Alphonse Areola in goal, it would now seem appropriate that Rob Newman and his recruitment team focus on the top end of the pitch, especially considering how the club are yet to replace Sebastien Haller since his departure in January 2021.
Michail Antonio carried the centre-forward burden himself last season and the continued reliance on his availability across all domestic and European competitions saw his form suffer, with the Jamaica international only finding the net five times in 2022.
We feel finding an able companion to share the responsibility is a must for David Moyes this summer, and considering top target Armando Broja may cost £30m, it would perhaps be best to divert their efforts to that area first before seeing what is left in the budget to be invested elsewhere.