West Ham United Reports £25m Bid for De Paul, Faces Rejection

West Ham United's recent bid of €25 million for Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has been rejected, with the Spanish club unwilling to weaken their squad mid-season. De Paul, who is in the last 18 months of his contract, remains a key player for Atletico, and while the Hammers are eager to reinforce their squad, they face challenges in securing their targets. Besides De Paul, West Ham has expressed interest in Ajax's Brian Brobbey and Galatasaray's Baris Alper Yilmaz, although high demands from Ajax have complicated potential deals. West Ham's current form, sitting 14th in the Premier League, has intensified the urgency for new signings to improve their standing. Manager Graham Potter is focused on attracting top-class talent, especially in the attacking department, as the January transfer window nears its deadline. However, concerns have been raised about the wisdom of targeting older players like De Paul when the club needs younger, dynamic options to build a stronger future.