West Ham United could still be in with a chance of landing Lille starlet Amadou Onana, despite having been rebuffed in their pursuit of the midfield thus far.

What's the word?

That's according to journalist Dean Jones - speaking to GIVEMESPORT - who claimed that the Hammers may still have a chance of signing the 20-year-old this summer, after seeing two recent bids rejected by the Ligue 1 outfit.

He stated: “I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t totally rule West Ham out of Onana just yet. I think that might still have a twist in it.

“They’ll want to see how that Souček situation develops too, as that could have big implications here.”

As Jones alluded to, a new midfield addition could be required amid doubts over the future of current first-team regular Tomas Soucek, albeit with David Moyes and co potentially set to face competition from fellow Premier League side Arsenal in their bid to land the one-cap, Belgian international.

Supporters will love it

That latest update would suggest that hope remains that the £9m-rated giant could still end up at the London Stadium this summer, with supporters no doubt set to be delighted by the club's apparent resilience and commitment to getting a deal over the line.

Although there may be concerns that the east London outfit will be priced out of a move - with reports suggesting he could cost as much as £50m - the 6 foot 5 menace would no doubt prove an astute piece of business, having blossomed in France during the 2021/22 campaign.

Plucked from German outfit Hamburg last summer, the Senegal-born colossus enjoyed a fine debut season at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, averaging 1.5 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game in his 35 league outings, 11 of which came as starts, while also losing possession just 4.5 times per game on average.

A forceful presence in the centre of the park, the towering brute also compares favourably compared those in his position across Europe's big five leagues, ranking in the top 6% for tackles made, as well as in the top 21% for aerial duels won.

Despite having already signed boyhood fan Flynn Downes from Swansea City, an additional midfield recruit is seemingly needed to help bolster the ranks, particularly having seen long-serving stalwart Mark Noble call time on his career at the end of last season.

While seeing the veteran skipper depart will no doubt have been a source of disappointment to the Irons faithful, managing to secure a young, hungry replacement such as Onana will more than soften the blow.

AND in other news, Contact made: Moyes can unearth a new sensation as WHU move for “complete” £39m target