Hammers could return later for centre-back

West Ham could yet return for French defender Mohamed Simakan in January according to one report in France.

The Strasbourg centre-back was linked with the Hammers who were reported to have put in a €17m bid for him, according to French outlet le10sport.

The Ligue 1 side were reported to have rejected that offer and were only prepared to entertain offers of €20m or above.

The report says Simakan was keen on a move to the Premier League and was disappointed the offer was not accepted by the Ligue 1 side.

Italian giants AC Milan also bid €15m while Lyon and Rennes expressed an interest in him.

The defender, who spent five years at Marseille, is under contract until 2023 at Strasbourg and the report claims the Hammers are likely to reignite interest in January being that it is under eleven weeks away. That leaves the question of whether David Moyes is prepared to wait next year for a centre back.