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According to ABC Sevilla, West Ham United tried to sign Real Betis defender Aissa Mandi during the summer transfer window, but saw a £13.5m bid rejected.
What’s the story?
West Ham were not exactly shy during the summer transfer window, with over £100m spent on new players following the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini as head coach.
The Hammers were able to lure the likes of Jack Wilshere, Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko to the London Stadium, but it has been a tough start to the season.
Indeed, West Ham have lost all four of their Premier League matches this term, including home fixtures against Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Pellegrini boosted his defence with the arrival of Ryan Fredericks, Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena during the summer, but according to ABC Sevilla, West Ham were keen to sign Mandi from Betis.
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The report claims that the Hammers bid £13.5m for the defender, but Betis turned it down.
Would Mandi have been a good signing?
Mandi came through the youth system at Reims before joining Betis in 2016, signing a five-year contract upon his arrival in Spanish football.
The 26-year-old has put in a string of impressive performances for Betis, and has already contributed one assist in three La Liga appearances this term.
Standing at 6ft 1in and boasting an impressive turn of speed, there is no question that Mandi – valued at £8.1m by Transfermarkt – has the physical attributes to operate in the Premier League.
A 25-time Algeria international, Mandi would not have been a standout signing, but he would have given West Ham some much-needed pace in central defence.
And the Hammers could ultimately be made to regret not returning with an offer for a player who has now been tipped to pen a new contract at Betis.
