West Ham United could be set to exorcise the demons of the summer transfer window, if reports are to be believed...

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That's according to French publication Media Foot, who claim that the Hammers are engaging in yet another transfer battle with Everton, but this time over Lorient winger Dango Ouattara.

Having failed in their pursuit of Amadou Onana in the summer after the Belgian chose Merseyside over east London, this represents a fine opportunity to avenge that failed transfer by beating the Toffees to another mutual target.

The Burkina Faso international has also drawn interest from Leicester City, who reportedly have already submitted a bid of £18m for his services. 

Avenge Onana deal

What will sting David Moyes most about the failed Onana deal is how much he has impressed since moving to Goodison Park, fast becoming one of Everton's most important players in the midfield engine room.

His 6 foot 5 frame makes for an imposing figure, and he uses his freakishly long legs to complete some absurd tackles. As such, he records 2.6 tackles per game, which he pairs with an 83% pass accuracy.

In Ouattara, it seems that another gem has sprung up from Ligue 1 that the Hammers will not want to miss out upon.

The 20-year-old has been in electric form for his club, with six goals and six assists to his name already this season. For comparison, nobody in the Irons' squad has surpassed three league goals yet in 2022/23, highlighting the toothless nature of Moyes' team.

Such is his blistering form, the tricky attacker was referenced by OptaJean alongside an "elite" list of players who had been involved in the most goals across Europe's top five leagues. He is mentioned alongside esteemed company in Neymar, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski.

His manager Regis Le Bris has also been full of praise for Ouattara, claiming: "He has the physical abilities needed for the very high level.

“His jump, his acceleration, his engine. He's going to score headed goals too, you'll see. He has what it takes to reach the highest level."

The fact that West Ham sit above 18th-placed Everton only on goal difference makes this prospective deal even more imperative than the Onana one, as Ouattara's injection of quality could be the difference between relegation and survival.

Therefore, Moyes cannot allow his former club to win this transfer battle. He must right the wrongs of the past and get this deal over the line.