West Ham are believed to be considering a move for Romanian prospect Darius Olaru, according to Sport.ro.
The 22-year-old central midfielder plays for FCSB, formerly Steaua Bucharest, who currently sit top of the table in his homeland’s highest division.
David Moyes has prioritised the signing of a striker on his January wish list, although FCSB owner Gigi Becali would reportedly sell Olaru for €10m (£8.3m).
The West Ham is currently light on central midfield options, with Mark Noble now merely a token backup to the ever-present duo of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.
Capable of playing in both attack-minded and defensive roles, Olaru has four goals in 13 appearances so far this season, just one shy of what fellow midfielder Soucek has managed for the Hammers in 2020/21.
He is yet to represent his nation at senior level but has made 13 appearances for Romania’s under-21s.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
West Ham certainly have a recent track record of plucking players from relatively unknown leagues and watching them succeed at the London Stadium.
Although Becali’s suggested asking price for Olaru isn’t huge in the grand scheme of transfer fees these days, it may be ambitious for someone who has only played in Romania and is yet to be recognised by his international side at senior level.
Rice and Soucek have been outstanding this season, but to rely upon the same pair for to deliver for a full 38-game Premier League season is a major gamble. Therefore, a move for Olaru could be sensible in terms of adding valuable squad depth.
