**West Ham** have reportedly had an opening offer for Mario Stroeykens flatly rejected by Anderlecht according to numerous from Holland & Belgium this morning.
The Hammers tabled a €10m (£8.5m) bid for the highly-rated Belgian midfielder, but the Brussels club weren’t having any of it, insisting on a minimum €20m valuation. It’s important to state at this time that these are mere rumours, however ExWHUEmployee has stated serious interest from West Ham for the midfielder.
Aged just 20, Stroeykens is exactly the profile Hammers boss Graham Potter is targeting. With a good eye for a pass, the energy we desperately need, the youngster fits perfectly into the revamped midfield Potter is trying to implement at the [London Stadium](https://www.claretandhugh.info/london-stadium-bio/).
Anderlecht’s inability to extend Stroeykens’ contract has put clubs on alert – but it’s West Ham who’ve supposedly made the first real move.
If true, The Hammers’ approach makes sense given Potter’s comments about signing younger players from outside Europe’s top five leagues. But now it’s up to the board to back the manager and go again if indeed a double your money bid is needed.