Report: West Ham enter talks for £31.1m-rated midfielder

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Sky Sports have claimed that West Ham United have entered talks to sign Olympique de Marseilles midfielder Morgan Sanson this summer, with the French club willing to sell.

Marseille failed to achieve Champions League qualification last season, meaning the club are willing to offload a number of their first-team stars – and 24-year-old midfielder Sanson is one of those.

Yet to be capped by France, Sanson is believed to be worth a whopping £31.1million. The Hammers are more than capable of spending such a fee, given their capture of Felipe Anderson last summer from Lazio.

The Hammers are said to have spoken to Marseille sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and the player’s agent. Sanson is not the only player West Ham want, with bids made for Andre Gomes and Alexis Claude-Maurice.

TBR’s view

The Hammers desperately need a central midfielder, hence their interest in former Everton loanee Gomes. Injuries to Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez last season left Manuel Pellegrini with little options.

Pedro Obiang, Jack Wilshere and Declan Rice were the club’s only options in central midfielder. Edimilson Fernandes has left after his loan at Fiorentina, joining Mainz on a permanent deal.

Bringing in cover in the middle of the park is crucial and Sanson is certainly an excellent player. At such a tall figure, though, he is somewhat expensive. If the Hammers can bring the fee down, then it would seem a better deal.