West Ham United have been knocked back in their efforts to sign Lille midfielder Amadou Onana, amid reported interest from fellow London club Arsenal this summer.
The Hammers are in need of reinforcements in their engine room following Mark Noble's retirement and the return of Alex Kral to Russian side Spartak Moscow following a disappointing loan spell.
This has left them with just Declan Rice and Thomas Soucek as senior options in the centre of the pitch ahead of another long campaign for David Moyes' side, who will be competing in Europe once again.
As a result, the east London club made an opening move for highly-rated Onana, only for their initial 23m euro bid to be knocked back with the French side not keen on losing the 20-year-old talent in the same summer as Renato Sanches' likely departure.
It is understood that West Ham are weighing up another bid for the Belgian, who made his national team debut last month.
What else do West Ham want to do this summer
The Hammers have already made two signings this summer, bringing Alphonse Areola back on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell last season, as well as raiding Rennes for centre-back Nayef Aguerd in a deal worth £30m.
They remain keen to add at least one body in central midfield, while they are also looking at a wide forward option, having been strongly linked with Arnaut Danjuma this summer and having been knocked back in attempts to sign Darwin Nunez in January.