The Telegraph claim that West Ham have turned down a £650 million takeover bid from Red Bull, who own a number of clubs across the world including surprise Bundesliga title contenders Red Bull Leipzig and Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg. Their sources state there the offer was turned down and there will be no further talks as the club’s current owners do not plan on selling.
Red Bull are known to invest heavily in clubs that they own, which has helped to propel Leipzig from the basement of German football to the very top in a very short period of time.
There has been more frustration for the club amid rumours from RMC Sport that an £8 million bid for Toulouse captain and top scorer Martin Braithwaite. The Danish international has scored seven goals in 16 games this season, attracting interest from the Hammers.
However, the move for the 25-year-old was rebuffed and it remains unclear if the club will go back in with another offer as they try to boost their frontline with Simone Zaza expected to leave and a number of injuries affecting the likes of Diafra Sakho.
In another blow to these hopes, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte dismissed speculation linking Michy Batshuayi with a Stamford Bridge exit with Slaven Bilic said to be keen on the Belgian, who was not selected despite Diego Costa’s suspension for the Blues against Bournemouth yesterday. Conte said:
“He is a new player for Chelsea. To go on loan now is a defeat for the club and for me. Now it is important to be focused to improve. I want to win and every decision I make is because I want to win. I have to take the best decision, sometimes it is good, positive or negative, but I try to put every player in the best condition.”
Even with Conte’s denial, this move could be one for the club to keep an eye on with Batshuayi still yet to start a Premier League match for the side at the top of the table.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Christine Sanjaya.