1 Anderlecht star Leander Dendoncker

West Ham failed to prise Leander Dendoncker away from Anderlecht after they offering just £4.4million up front, it has been claimed.

The Hammers looked to be closing in on the promising 22-year-old midfielder, who has also been strongly linked with Manchester United.

However the move broke down on transfer deadline day and he remains an Anderlecht player despite wanting to join the Hammers

Now Belgian newspaper HLN has lifted the lid on the botched attempt to land one of the country’s most talented players, who had missed training on Wednesday in a bid to help complete the deal.

It has been suggested West Ham’s initial offer included an up-front payment of just £4.4m with a further £8.75m to follow in the summer.

Anderlecht were not happy with those terms unless Dendoncker had been allowed to remain in Belgium on loan for the season but West Ham wanted him straight away.

Then, despite a second offer being put on the table, Anderlecht decided not to sell him at all with West Ham set to go back for him at the end of the season.