Perhaps one of West Ham’s best investments in recent years, Lukasz Fabianski seemingly wasn’t the Hammers’ first choice.
You might recall a period when, towards the end of May, Reims’ Edouard Mendy was heavily linked with a move to London Stadium and was even expected to be Manuel Pellegrini’s first signing.
Highly rated in France, to the point where journalists covering him speak of him pulling off ‘miracles’ every game, the 26-year-old wouldn’t have been all that expensive, but it simply didn’t happen despite West Ham’s best attempts.
Why? Simply because Reims didn’t want to sell him.
This was revealed by L’Union de Reims journalist Gérard Kancel in an interview with Le Phocéen following reported interest from Marseille in the Senegal international.
He said: “I think [he’s ready to leave in the summer]. The board renewed his contract until 2022 recently, but it’s probably to sell him for more. He was close to going to West Ham last summer, but the club blocked him to avoid relegation from Ligue 1.
“They already have his replacement in Yehvann Diouf who will arrive in June. It’s the ideal time to sell Edouard in his prime.”
Reims, who were promoted from Ligue 2 last season, currently sit in a comfortable 10th in Ligue 1, having conceded just 22 goals in 24 games with Mendy in goal.
The 26-year-old has 11 clean sheets to his name this season.
