On Tuesday, Het Laatste Nieuws reported West Ham United’s efforts to sign Hans Vanaken are unlikely to yield any result because Club Brugge are firm a transfer for their star is ‘unthinkable’.
The Hammers have already seen their first bid of €10m turned down, and plan to make a second offer.
Another report from HLN on Wednesday says the attacking midfielder is ‘charmed’ by the idea of joining West Ham this summer.
For the Jupiler Pro League winners, the 29-year-old’s departure is ‘out of the question’ since he is one of the key figures at the club. Their position will not change for the rest of the transfer window.
At this stage of the window, it is difficult for the Belgian champions to find a suitable replacement for the player, even if West Ham were to put a ‘market-based offer’ on the table.
HLN say ‘never say never’. They follow it up by stating although Club Brugge understand Vanaken’s feelings, they ‘don’t seem to want to give in’, just like they turned down West Ham’s €15m bid for the playmaker in 2020.
Vital Borkelmans and René Vandereycken, two former Club Brugge stars, have given their take to Het Nieuwsblad on the Hammers’ interest in the Belgium international.
“I would understand if Hans was now open to a transfer. Unfortunately, I never got the chance, but I think that as a footballer you have to dare to take on new challenges. For Hans, such a step to a major competition would certainly be a challenge,” Borkelmans said.
HLN’s claim of Club Brugge not being able to find the right successor for Vanaken in mid-August is also echoed by Vandereycken. He understands his former side’s reason not to sell their star to David Moyes’ side.
“Vanaken is more difficult to replace. You will rarely see him play a bad game. What does happen is that he appears less in the game, because there is man marking on him or he is a little higher on the field,” Vandereycken stressed.
“But if Vanaken is running, then Club Brugge is usually running too. De Ketelaere did improve his statistics last season, but was less decisive than Vanaken purely in the team game.
“In that respect, I certainly understand that Club does not want to let him go. Especially since the start of the competition was not great. The whole team is built around him. If Hans leaves, you should actually start playing in a different system.”
In the event Club Brugge are successful in fending off West Ham’s efforts, Borkelmans is of the belief the Belgian would receive an improved deal.
“Be assured that the club will make a firm effort. Hans extended his contract not so long ago and he must have received a pay rise then. But when a team like West Ham come knocking, it is not illogical that there is talk again,” he concluded.
