There has been a major twist for West Ham as a deal has collapsed to hand West Ham a bargain Euros star Tim Steidten wants on a plate.
West Ham are on the hunt for another centre-back after the signing of Max Kilman.
Having splashed out £40m on the Wolves skipper, though, the Hammers are sweating about having enough funds to bring in another central defender.
Hammers News reported today how West Ham are trying to offload Kurt Zouma and/or Nayef Aguerd so they can sign a partner for Kilman.
That’s after seeing a £25m bid for another big target – Jean-Clair Todibo – rejected by Nice.
West Ham are reportedly confident of signing Todibo but are unsure about his asking price, which is said to be around £35m.
That simply won’t be possible without offloading at least one of Zouma or Aguerd for a reasonable fee.
Steidten looked set to miss out on star to Saudi
It was revealed yesterday that West Ham’s move for Todibo came after technical director Tim Steidten failed in a bid to sign Belgium centre-back Arthur Theate.
According to Fabrizio Romano West Ham wanted 24-year-old Rennes and Belgium star Theate.
Hammers hopes looked dead when Romano gave his trademark ‘here we go’ on a £15m deal taking Theate to Al Ittihad.
It was reported the Saudi club had beaten Steidten and Julen Lopetegui to the star, who can also play at left-back.
“Arthur Theate to Al Ittihad, here we go!” Romano said.
“Deal in place for €18m (£15m) fee to Rennes, all done also on player side.
“First move for new coach Pioli, smart signing for Ittihad as many clubs were keen including West Ham. 24 year old Belgium international also completed medical.”
But there has been a major twist as the deal collapses to hand West Ham the bargain Euros star on a plate.
Major twist as deal collapses to hand West Ham Theate on a plate
According to L’Equipe, the likes of West Ham have been put on red alert after Theate’s move broke down with only the “fine print left to be completed”.
“Just as that agreement was essentially reached, the deal began to break down, amid infighting at the Saudi side,” the report states.
“Premier League sides are looking to benefit from the uncertainty surrounding Theate’s move to Al–Ittihad. L’Equipe understands that several English clubs have made contact with the Belgian’s representatives in recent hours in order to advance a deal.”
It seems logical to assume West Ham will be among those who have made contact.
Especially as Theate will cost the Hammers at least £20m less than Todibo, who is the same age.
This development has surely handed Steidten his next signing on a silver platter.
Theate a no-brainer for West Ham after Kilman outlay
Interestingly Rennes have recently been named as one of the clubs seriously interested in re-signing Aguerd from West Ham.
The Hammers paid the Ligue 1 club £30m for the Moroccan but he has failed to live up to the price tag.
West Ham may be able to work Aguerd into a deal for Theate which acts as a straight swap.
This will also be music to the ears of majority owner David Sullivan.
A month ago Hammers News exclusively revealed Sullivan was willing to push the boat out to sign Kilman for Lopetegui.
Now he may be able to pull off a money-saving swap deal for the club’s second centre-back signing while shipping out a high-earner in Aguerd.
There’s never a dull moment at West Ham.
The reported collapse of the Theate move is another blow to Romano, who has seen several deals fall through this summer after giving them his trademark ‘here we go’ seal of approval.
West Ham’s move for Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno, which fell through at the 11th hour, being one of them.
It shows just how unpredictable and volatile the transfer market can be. Now it remains to be seen whether West Ham can take advantage.
