West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Le Havre centre-back Arouna Sangante, hoping to fight off competition for his signature from numerous Premier League clubs.
The Hammers are now back to focusing on summer signings, following the end of the January transfer window, having had a quiet month in the market overall last month.
Kalvin Phillips has come in on loan from Manchester City, however, and while his first few appearances haven’t gone to plan – mistakes have led to goals against both Bournemouth and Manchester United – he could prove to be an excellent signing.
According to a fresh update from Football Insider, West Ham are keen on snapping up Le Havre ace Sangante at the end of the season, but are joined in the race by a number of other Premier League teams:
“Premier League clubs are set to join West Ham and Nottingham Forest in the summer race for Le Havre sensation Arouna Sangante, sources have told Football Insider.
“Football Insider has revealed that Forest and the Irons made deadline-day moves for the 21-year-old which were rebuffed by the Ligue 1 side.
“Le Havre were only willing to let Sangante leave permanently, but the offers that arrived were for a potential loan agreement. He is one of the hottest properties in French football and is being tracked by Europe’s elite sides after catching the eye since his senior breakthrough.”
This update sums up what a huge prospect Sangante is, with the 21-year-old already making a noticeable impact in French football, despite still being so young.
The fact that Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea have been backed to sign him in the past also speaks volumes about his potential, and he has started 17 Ligue 1 games this season, averaging 3.2 clearances and 2.5 interceptions per match, not to mention 1.9 aerial duel wins.
Centre-back is an area that West Ham could need to bolster in the summer transfer window, considering Ben Johnson and Angelo Ogbonna are out of contract at the end of the current campaign – Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd have also been linked with moves away – and Sangante could arrive as both a long-term prospect and a player who can make an immediate impression.
For now, it is a case of David Moyes’ side trying to finish the season as strong as possible, making them an enticing club to want to join this summer, increasing their chances of pipping others to the Senegalese’s signature.
