West Ham United are refusing to give up on Mikel Gogorza after seeing two offers rejected by FC Midtjylland, with a third proposal now being prepared for the highly-rated 19-year-old winger.
The Hammers have made Gogorza one of their priority attacking targets in the closing stages of the transfer window as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to add more pace and creativity to his squad.
The Italian transfer reporter adds that West Ham are “very determined” to sign the Denmark youth international before the window closes.
West Ham preparing third Gogorza bid
West Ham’s interest has developed quickly.
The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas initially reported that the Hammers had submitted a £12million offer for Gogorza.
That proposal was rejected by Midtjylland, with Danish journalist Daniel Nøjsen Fallah confirming the club had turned down the £12m bid.
West Ham did not walk away.
Di Marzio now says a second proposal has also been submitted and rejected.
Rather than moving onto another target, the Hammers are already preparing to return with a third bid.
That makes this one of the clearest signs yet that Gogorza is viewed as a serious late-window target rather than simply another name on West Ham’s shortlist.
Nuno clearly wants another winger
The persistence makes sense when looking at Nuno’s current attacking options.
Jarrod Bowen and Manor Solomon remain the most established senior wide players, while West Ham have also been working to complete a deal for Viking winger Edvin Austbø.
Even if Austbø arrives, West Ham appear determined to add more attacking depth for a long Championship campaign.
Gogorza offers a different profile.
The 19-year-old has described himself as an explosive left-winger who wants to attack defenders and win one-on-one situations.
That type of direct threat has been missing too often from West Ham’s opening Championship performances.
Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Watford again highlighted the need for more creativity and unpredictability in the final third.
Our analysis of West Ham’s remaining transfer needs identified the lack of natural wide options as one of the major issues Nuno still needed the recruitment team to solve.
Midtjylland holding firm over Gogorza
Midtjylland are under no obvious pressure to sell.
Gogorza came through the Danish club’s academy and has already gained European experience despite his age.
Di Marzio notes that he made his Champions League qualifying debut against Slovan Bratislava at just 17.
Other clubs are also monitoring the teenager, including teams in Serie A.
That competition gives Midtjylland even more reason to hold out for their valuation.
West Ham therefore face a difficult decision.
They can continue increasing their offer in an attempt to force a breakthrough, or eventually decide the price has moved beyond what they believe Gogorza is currently worth.
The fact a third proposal is already being prepared suggests they are not ready to walk away yet.
Third bid could decide West Ham pursuit
The next offer could become decisive.
West Ham have already been rejected twice, and the transfer deadline is now approaching quickly.
There is little time left for prolonged negotiations.
If Midtjylland reject another proposal, the Hammers may have to decide whether to make one final push or turn their attention elsewhere.
But the message from West Ham’s recruitment team is already clear.
Two rejections have not been enough to end their pursuit of Gogorza, and the Hammers are preparing to test Midtjylland’s resolve again.
