Hammers see bid rejected

By Dave Langton

West Ham have made a bid for Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken but have seen the offer rejected by the Belgian club.

Sources have confirmed to C&H that there is interest in signing Vanaken, who has been a target of David Moyes’ for some time.

An offer has been lodged in the region of £8.5m but it has been knocked back.

Sources have also told C&H that the Irons are considering a second offer as Moyes bids to strengthen his midfield ahead of the transfer deadline.

Thus far, he has only managed to sign Flynn Downes from Swansea to beef up his options in the centre of the pitch and there is a desire to add a more established option.

Vanaken is 29 and has won 21 caps for Belgium; his contract with Club Brugge runs until 2025.

He has been with the club since 2015 and has made 343 appearances, scoring 102 goals, and can play as an attacking midfielder as well as a central midfielder.