West Ham United are to continue their pursuit of Lille midfielder Amadou Onana, despite having been knocked back with their opening offers.

What's the word?

As Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, the Hammers are contemplating making another bid for the 20-year-old, having already reportedly seen two bids rejected by the Ligue 1 side this summer - the latest of which for a fee of around €30m (£25m).

Writing on Twitter about the east London outfit's interest in the Belgian gem, Sheth stated: "Interest still there in Lille midfielder Amadou Onana. Deciding whether to go back in with 3rd bid."

His current side are likely to be in no rush to sell with four years still remaining on the player's contract, while David Moyes could also face competition for his signature from fellow Premier League side, Arsenal.

There has also been the suggestion that it could take as much as £50m to be able to prise the emerging starlet from Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Good news

Despite having been rebuffed in their bid to sign the £9m-rated ace thus far, it will no doubt please West Ham supporters that the club are set to press on in their quest to land the highly-rated prospect, with bolstering the midfield ranks seemingly a priority this summer.

Having opted against making Alex Kral's temporary move permanent - the Czech international making just a solitary league outing last term - and with long-serving skipper Mark Noble calling time on his playing career, the Irons have been left particularly light in the centre of the park.

The return of Conor Coventry from his loan spell at MK Dons, as well as the recent addition of boyhood fan Flynn Downes from Swansea City, will provide much-needed depth to Moyes' squad in that department, although with domestic and European duties to juggle next season further reinforcements will be required.

In Onana then, the London Stadium outfit look to have identified a promising young talent who can be nurtured and developed by the former Everton boss, with the £5.5k-per-week giant having blossomed in France of late.

The most recent campaign saw the towering, 6 foot 5 colossus register an impressive 1.5 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game in his 35 league outings, winning a solid 59% of his total duels and losing possession just 4.5 times per match.

The fact he made just 11 starts in the French top-flight may be of concern - particularly considering the price tag that is being mentioned - although the belief is that he can develop into a world-beater in the coming years, with comparisons having already been made to Premier League and Gunners icon, Patrick Vieira.

That will no doubt pique the interest of those of a West Ham persuasion, with the hope being now that GSB can wrap up a deal soon with another, improved offer.

AND in other news: West Ham closing in on "remarkable" £10m target, it would be a "masterstroke" by Moyes