West Ham have had an €8m (£6.8m) bid rejected for Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai, according to reports in the Turkish media.
The 24-year-old was mentioned as a Hammers target during the January transfer window, while he was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea at the end of last year.
It appears that David Moyes’ side have now finally made a move for Szalai, with many supporters on Twitter speculating on where he would fit into the starting eleven:
He’s class. Hungry have some great players. We should have gone for Szoboszlai over Kostic.
— JH (@wookie301) August 4, 2022
Diop likely.
— West Ham News & Views (@WestHamViews_) August 4, 2022
Think he can play LB too?
— Roy Beadle (@jackiancorey) August 4, 2022
The better slabhead
— GopnikGouma (@GoumaGang) August 5, 2022
He plays left back too i think ?
— chico ⚒ Jacko (@75_chicoIron) August 4, 2022
The Hungarian international can play as a left-back, although he is more comfortable as a centre-half. With that being the case, he would be a good fit if Moyes is considering moving to a three-man defence.
If we take into account that the Irons have also been looking at signing wingbacks, such as Eintracht Frankfurt’s Filip Kostic, this summer, it would suggest a permanent change in formation could be in the offing.
It is believed that West Ham may well make a second bid for Szalai, so we shall have to wait and see whether they do return to the negotiating table.