West Ham United could land a dream Tomas Soucek alternative in Amadou Onana as David Moyes looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.
What’s the word?
That’s according to Pete O’Rourke, who, when asked by Football Fancast what the the Hammers' reported interest in a move for the LOSC Lille midfielder meant for the club, said: “Probably that West Ham are maybe considering alternatives if Soucek doesn’t agree the offer that’s on the table from West Ham.
“They have got to be doing their contingency plans like any top club should be just in case a player does leave and I think that’s what West Ham are doing right now.”
It's evident that the Premier League side are preparing for the departure of Soucek sooner rather than later and a deal for Onana would be an excellent piece of business.
Soucek upgrade
West Ham have already had a £20m offer rejected by Lille for Onana, but Moyes remains interested.
ExWHUemployee revealed that the French side are looking at a fee of around €60m (£51m) for the midfielder, but Moyes is only willing to go as high as £39m to prise the player away from France.
Not only is Onana seen as an alternative to Soucek, but he could be a big upgrade on the Czech Republic international.
Lat season, Onana recorded a better pass completion percentage (83.8% to 77.7%), generated more than double the number of shot-creating actions as the West Ham player (2.05 to 1.00) and won more aerial duels (58.1% to 49.5%) - although Onana did play three games fewer.
These stats clearly show that at just 19 years old, Onana has all the attributes to settle into the Premier League with ease.
Moyes does need some added bite into the midfield, especially with the futures of Soucek and Declan Rice uncertain.
It would be a risk, but if Onana performs as he has done in Ligue 1, the “huge talent” - in the words of Jonas Boldt - can shine in the Premier League.