West Ham United failed to sign any players last Monday on transfer deadline day - but it wasn't for the want of trying.
David Moyes' need for a centre-back is well known and despite numerous efforts to bring one in, none materialised.
One of the players high on the Scot's list was young French defender Mohamed Simakan.
The Strasbourg centre-back was linked with a number of clubs across Europe and the Hammers put in a €17m bid for him, according to French outlet le10sport.
However, the Ligue 1 side rejected the offer and were only prepared to entertain offers of €20m or above.
The report says Simakan was keen on a move to England so was disappointed the offer was not accepted.
Southampton were also said to be interested in luring the player to the Premier League.
Italian giants AC Milan also bid €15m while Lyon and Rennes expressed an interest in him. However, they were put off by the player's price tag.
The defender, who spent five years as a youngster at Marseille, is under contract until 2023 at Strasbourg and is likely to again court interest in the January transfer window.
And it is reported that West Ham could be one of the clubs to revive their interest in January.
