West Ham United are ready to make a €35 million offer for Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye, with the club keen to reinforce in the area.

According to Fichajes, West Ham United are willing to table a €35 million offer for Pape Gueye in the January window. The Villarreal midfielder has a release clause in excess of €40 million, which is what the Spanish side wants to part ways with him, as the Hammers may think about a deal should there be a disparity in the demands.

West Ham United are not in the best of places following a disastrous start to the season. They are rooted to second from bottom in the Premier League table, with Graham Potter’s role already under review, as the Hammers are contemplating appointing a short-term manager to replace the Englishman.

Nuno Espirito Santo is also a target, while the likes of Kieran McKenna and Gary O’Neil are also under consideration. As the managerial issues are resolved in the background, the Hammers are also looking closely at the transfer market ahead of January, as they are eager to solidify their midfield in that window.

West Ham had wanted a defensive midfielder back in the summer, and that will be their focus ahead of January. Names like Yves Bissouma have been mentioned, while there will be other targets as they get closer to the winter market.

Villarreal star Pape Gueye is their latest target, with the Senegal international now viewed as a serious name for the Hammers. The London outfit are ready to table €35 million in January and test the Spanish side over their resolve, as there are some complications with their demands.

Villarreal wants the €40 million release clause paid

Villarreal are secure with a release clause in Gueye’s contract that is in excess of €40 million, and they have reportedly pointed West Ham towards it. The Hammers are not ready to pay as much for the Senegal international, which could put the deal in a bit of jeopardy.

The €5 million disparity between what the Hammers want to pay and what Villarreal are demanding might be an issue in any deal for the €40 million-rated La Liga defensive midfielder. However, the other element is how Villarreal wants the payments structured, as release clauses in Spain often demand the money up front rather than in installments.