Report: West Ham made £15.5m bid to sign French defender on deadline day

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French newspaper L’Equipe have claimed that West Ham United tabled a deadline-day offer to sign Strasbourg defender Mohamad Simakan, believed to be worth in the region of £15.5million.

Simakan, 20, was linked with the Hammers earlier in the window after breaking into the Strasbourg side last season – clocking up 25 appearances in all competitions. This season, he has played all six Ligue 1 matches for his current side.

The centre-back – who can play right-back or holding midfield – has caught the attention of plenty of admiring onlookers. AC Milan were said to be closing in on a move and had agreed personal terms, but Strasbourg rejected a £15.5million move.

West Ham then tabled an offer of the same value in the final hours of the window, but a move seemingly fell through – with Strasbourg rating Simakan at £18million. He has a contract with the top-tier French side until the summer of 2022.

TBR’s view – West Ham’s centre-back hunt sums up window

It was the story of West Ham’s summer. A new centre-back seemed to be linked with the Hammers every 24 hours – with James Tarkowski, Wesley Fofana, Nikola Milenkovic and numerous other defenders have been suggested as targets.

Fikayo Tomori almost joined in the final hour on loan from Chelsea but the England international decided against a move late on in the window. To bid the same fee that Strasbourg rejected earlier on in the day sums up West Ham’s business.