N’Golo Kante would be keen on a return to London but West Ham will need to up their opening offer of £20million to land the World Cup winner.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad have turned down an initial bid for the former Chelsea star but the Hammers, whose transfer plans are been overseen by Tim Steidten, could return with an improved offer. And Kante, who was recalled to the France team for the recent Euros and started all six of their games, enjoyed living in London to such an extent that he is up for a return.

But he is equally content at Al Ittihad and the Hammers may need to bolster their offer by £10m for the Saudi club to consider parting ways.

Kante’s salary could also be an issue and a similar deal to his present one would immediately make him West Ham’s highest-paid player as new head coach Julen Lopetegui and Steidten attempt to strengthen for a fresh charge on the European places.

West Ham are in need of midfield reinforcements having struggled in that department late last season. They brought in Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City only for the move to have awful consequences for both club and player as he missed out on the England squad for the Euros.

Edson Alvarez, meanwhile, has been injured while on duty with Mexico and Flynn Downes has made his loan to Southampton permanent. The Hammers have signed teenage Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme and centre back Max Kilman, who worked under new head coach Julen Lopetegui at Wolves.

West Ham are also planning to have Lucas Paqueta available while the FA continues to investigate his spot-fixing charges. If found guilty the Brazil midfielder could face a career-ending ban but it is expected to take several months for the case to reach a conclusion.

Julen Lopetegui has replaced David Moyes as West Ham’s new head coach.
And the Hammers are among the few top-flight clubs that has some money to play with entering the new campaign.

Earlier this month Steidten said: “I can’t give you a number [of signings] but we know the positions we are looking for.”

But West Ham are in a comfortable position in relation to the Premier League ’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations, aided by the £100m sale of Declan Rice last summer, and Steidten added: “That’s why I’m so glad with the work the club did before, the board and the ownership.

“They’ve been able to give us a situation like this. I know that’s really, in this time, unique that we are quite relaxed on the financial side.”