Player’s ‘clear wish’ is to join West Ham – Club against move, plan to offer ‘lifetime’ contract

In the summer of 2020, West Ham United saw Club Brugge reject their €15m bid for Hans Vanaken.

The Jupiler Pro League winners and the attacking midfielder were both against the move and he was offered a new contract until 2025.

West Ham are back again for the 29-year-old this summer and have already seen a €10m offer turned down by the Belgian champions.

This time around, the player wants to join the Hammers. Earlier on Thursday, we carried a report from Het Nieuwsblad, who explained Vanaken continues to hope to join the Premier League side before the window closes.

This is backed up by Het Laatste Nieuws, who state the Belgium international has ‘set his sights’ on joining David Moyes’ side. However, his ‘departure is not an option’ for his current club and they plan to offer him a ‘lifetime’ contract.

This was Club Brugge’s plan even before West Ham came into the picture. HLN explain the expectation is that the player and his employer will soon come to the table to negotiate a new deal.

Despite Vanaken’s ‘clear wish’ to join the Premier League side, HLN explain a ‘transfer will remain beyond negotiation in the coming weeks’ as far as the Belgian club are concerned.