Hammers say ‘thanks but no thanks’ for central defender
The 31 year old – who switched from Beskitas to the French Ligue 1 club last season was seen as the second central defender the Hammers required.
Having moved from the Turkish club last summer for a fee of £11 million the Hammers believed they could pick him up for much the same fee or a touch more. He is a non Brazilian international having appeared only for his nation at under 20 level.
Instead, the French outfit were quoting a figure in excess of €20 million and were immediately given a ‘thanks but no thanks’ response for a player in whom there would be no re-sale value at the end of two or three year contract.
However, the move demonstrates that director of football Mario Husillos and Manuel Pellegrini are determined to bring in a second central defender which could leave either Winston Reid or Angelo Ogbonna in a vulnerable position.