West Ham United have reportedly launched a bid to sign Al Ittihad ace N’Golo Kante this summer, as per the transfer expert David Ornstein.
Despite enjoying great success under David Moyes, winning the Europa Conference League, the Hammers opted to part ways with the Scotsman at the end of last season.
After letting the former Manchester United boss leave, the East London club have decided to appoint Julen Lopetegui as the new manager and the Spaniard has been looking to make a squad overhaul before the start of next season.
West Ham have already purchased Max Kilman, Luis Guilherme and Wes Foderingham, however, they have also been linked with numerous other names.
But, writing on The Athletic, Ornstein has reported that the Hammers are now considering signing Kante to reinforce their engine room in this transfer window.
West Ham considering signing Kante
The journalist further claims that the Premier League club have already submitted a verbal £15m proposal but Al Ittihad have rejected it as they don’t want to let their star man leave for anything less than £25m.
Ornstein says that the Saudi Arabia club don’t want to sell the World Cup winner with the player happy to remain in the Middle East, therefore, West Ham may find it difficult to get this deal done.
After showcasing his qualities for Leicester City, the 33-year-old joined Chelsea. The Frenchman enjoyed success with the Blues but after struggling with fitness problems, he was allowed to leave the club as a free agent before signing for the Saudi club.
However, Kante has showcased in the recently concluded European Championship that he still is an excellent player, although he isn’t playing in a top league at the moment.
Therefore, Kante would be a shrewd acquisition for West Ham should they acquire his service. However, it is going to be interesting to see whether Lopetegui’s side eventually manage to purchase him in this transfer window.
Meanwhile, having finished ninth in the Premier League last season, it remains to be seen how West Ham perform under the former Real Madrid manager’s guidance next campaign.