West Ham and Liverpool retain an interest in signing PSV Eindhoven midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, according to Calciomercato.com.

The Hammers were linked with the Eredivisie star over the summer, but it is believed that Chelsea were the team keenest on snapping up the player. The Blues reportedly had a €45m (£39m) bid rejected just before the transfer window closed earlier this month.

Sangare actually had a release clause in his contract only for it to be removed when he signed a new deal in August. It could be argued that West Ham have missed their opportunity to secure the midfielder’s services but it appears manager David Moyes may still make an attempt to recruit him in January.

Although the Irons did strengthen their options in the middle of the park by snapping up the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Flynn Downes, both are more attack-minded players.

West Ham’s pursuit of Amadou Onana does, however, suggest they were also looking for a holding midfielder, and Sangare would definitely fit the bill in that regard.