For instance, Dean Jones recently reported that Taiwo Awoniyi, Andre Silva and Evan Ferguson are all potential options for West Ham.

However, a report from Spain has now claimed that West Ham have made a bid for a midfielder deemed “important” by Lionel Messi.

West Ham try their luck with Rodrigo De Paul bid

The player in question is Atletico Madrid midfielder and Argentina star Rodrigo De Paul, who won the World Cup with his nation in 2022.

According to Marca, the Hammers have made a €25million (£21million) proposal for De Paul, who is in the last 18 months of his contract in Madrid.

And though Atletico have rejected West Ham’s bid, the report claims a big offer from a ‘Premier League giant’ – or Saudi Arabia – could make him change his tune.

Atletico aren’t willing to lose De Paul mid-season, but they’ll reportedly revisit his situation in the summer if he doesn’t sign a new contract.

However, the report says they’re optimistic he will put pen to paper in the coming months.

What De Paul has said about his future amid West Ham links

De Paul is a top player who Argentina teammate Lionel Messi has previously described as “important”.

He would be an experienced, high-quality addition to a West Ham team currently struggling in the lower reaches of the Premier League table.

However, not only do Atletico not want to lose De Paul mid-season, but the player himself is happy to stay put for the time being.

“I always think about short-term goals,” he told the media ahead of Atletico’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig, as per Mundo Deportivo.

“It would be a mistake to think beyond tomorrow’s game. We want to compete in all competitions. The energy and my head is set on tomorrow.

“I think I have always felt and they have made me feel an important part of the team. In the groups, everyone has a role and they try to fulfil it.

“I have never settled in my career and I’m not going to. I feel comfortable and happy.

“When the work and the people value you it feels satisfying, but the most important thing is how Atleti is doing – and we are doing very well.”

West Ham could potentially try their luck again in the summer, but for now, it looks as though De Paul will be staying in the Spanish capital.

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