---
title: "West Ham eye move for Romanian prospect Darius Olaru"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/20/west-ham-eye-move-for-romanian-prospect-darius-olaru/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-01-20T15:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-20T15:00:00Z"
---

# West Ham eye move for Romanian prospect Darius Olaru

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/20/west-ham-fans-laud-michail-antonio-solo-run-west-brom/) are believed to be considering a move for Romanian prospect Darius Olaru, according to [Sport.ro](https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/gigi-becali-s-a-razgandit-in-privinta-transferului-lui-olaru-daca-dau-atat-il-vand.html).

The 22-year-old central midfielder plays for FCSB, formerly Steaua Bucharest, who currently [sit top of the table](https://www.flashscore.co.uk/football/romania/liga-1/standings/) in his homeland’s highest division.

[David Moyes](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/20/west-ham-interested-in-mikel-oyarzabal-transfer-rumours/) has [prioritised the signing of a striker](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55710396) on his January wish list, although FCSB owner Gigi Becali would [reportedly](https://www.sport.ro/liga-1/gigi-becali-s-a-razgandit-in-privinta-transferului-lui-olaru-daca-dau-atat-il-vand.html) sell Olaru for €10m (£8.3m).

The West Ham is [currently light on central midfield options](https://www.whufc.com/teams/first-team/squad), with Mark Noble now merely a token backup to the [ever-present duo](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/mins_played) of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.

Capable of playing in both attack-minded and defensive roles, Olaru has [four goals in 13 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darius-olaru/leistungsdaten/spieler/395800) so far this season, just one shy of what fellow midfielder [Soucek has managed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tomas-soucek/leistungsdaten/spieler/283628) for the Hammers in 2020/21.

He is yet to represent his nation at senior level but has made [13 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darius-olaru/nationalmannschaft/spieler/395800/verein_id/16864) for Romania’s under-21s.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

West Ham certainly have a recent track record of plucking [players from relatively unknown leagues](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/october/02-october/tomas-soucek-west-ham-fans-will-love-vladimir-coufal) 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](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-much-average-premier-league-16552046) these days, it may be ambitious for someone who has only [played in Romania](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/darius-olaru/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/395800) and is yet to be recognised by his international side at senior level.

Rice and Soucek have been [outstanding this season](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/total_pass), 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.