Steidten makes £17m bid for 6ft 3in France ace

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: The West Ham badge and stadium store outside prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Burnley at London Stadium on January 16, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, certainly isn’t resting on his laurels this summer.

Not content with bringing in eight new players already, the German is still scouring the market for a bargain or two which he’ll hope to land before the transfer window slams shut again at the end of the month.

According to Sport Italia, Steidten has placed a £17m bid for Nantes’ giant centre-back, Nathan Zeze.

However, that’s already been knocked back by the French club who are demanding closer to £25m for the player to be allowed to leave in the current window.

Defensively the Hammers were poor last season, so it’s no real surprise that Steidten is looking to strengthen that area of the pitch.

With an attack that boasts the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville and others, the East Londoners are well covered, but it’s no use having a front line that can bang in the goals if their defence is leaking them at the other end.