David Moyes should urge West Ham United to launch a summer swoop to sign Darius Olaru after the FCSB midfielder revealed that he would never turn down a potential transfer.
What’s the word?
Speaking with FRF TV, Olaru was questioned on West Ham’s rumoured interest in his services after links first emerged during the recent winter market.
Reports by Sport.RO suggested in January that the London stadium natives had set their sights on a move for the 23-year-old after he established himself as a pillar of Anton Petrea’s plans at the National Arena.
Olaru has made 25 of his 41 career Ros Albastrii appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, including starting 20 of his 24 Liga 1 outings in which the central midfielder boasts six goals and two assists.
His efforts in Liga 1 and for Romania’s under-21s were said to have made Olaru one of the most sought-after members of the FCSB squad during the mid-season market, which in turn raised owner Gigi Becali’s asking price from €7m (£6m) to €10m (£8.5m).
Where West Ham’s interest lies now remains to be seen, yet Olaru has made it clear that he would not reject a move to the Premier League if one were offered - but on one condition.
“I don't know if the English championship would fit me so well, but I would never say no to a possible transfer there, but I like Spain more,” he said.
[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/the-latest-west-ham-news-and-views" title=" The latest West Ham news and views!"]
Along with interest from the Irons in January, Rubin Kazan made efforts to sign Olaru for €1.7m (£1.5m) which were instantly rejected by Becali, who believed the Russian Premier League outfit’s offer was a “joke”.
Should West Ham sign Olaru?
With Olaru allegedly having a wealth of potential suitors thanks to his efforts under Petrea in Liga 1 this season and for Romania’s under-21 side, West Ham may have to act quickly if they are to snap up the midfielder for the price tag Becali set in January.
Olaru is seemingly improving week-by-week for FCSB to establish himself as a pillar of the side at the National Arena, and struck half of his goals for the Liga 1 campaign in his last five games before reporting for Romania’s under-21s.
A continued run of form like his may also see La Liga sides begin to turn their attentions to the midfielder’s services, which would ultimately be a condition West Ham may not be able to overcome given Olaru’s recent claim.
At 23, Olaru – who has produced sensational performances and spectacular goals under Petra – also has years of development ahead of him to get even better, as Becali vividly expects.
“Up to the age of 25-26, players like him gain experience, become better. I'm not afraid of risk, why risk? He is a midfielder who climbs, reaches the finish, scores. He will grow in the game and I will take even more money for him,” Becali told ProSport, via quotes by Fanatik.
Valeriu Rachita, the Director of Professional Football and Scout at Astra Giurgiu, also told Sport.RO: “Olaru is the best player that exists now at FCSB, he is almost complete both on the defensive phase and on the completion phase.”
Moyes urging West Ham to revive their interest in Olaru could see the Irons acquire a second Tomas Soucek – who similarly arrived in the Premier League from eastern Europe but has proven a huge hit for his box-to-box exploits.
“When we’re talking about box-to-box midfielders, there’s nobody better in the Premier League right now than Soucek,” Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports, via quotes by talkSPORT. “The goals stand out massively – that is huge for a midfield player and is a big reason why West Ham are where they are.”
AND in other news, West Ham are set to sign a £13.5m-rated titan for free this summer…