The Hammers wanted to add the midfielder to their squad this summer, with even the addition of Lucas Paqueta not thought to have deterred them.

 

West Ham went in with a couple of bids for the Club Brugge man but they were rejected by the Belgian champions.

 

 

Vanaken himself was said to have been wanting a move to West Ham, but the saga has now come to an end.

 

The midfielder has signed a new contract with the Belgian champions, ruling out the possibility of him leaving them for West Ham.

 

 

Vanaken confirmed that he is not going anywhere and staying put with Club Brugge and assured the fans that he was only bluffing.

 

The midfielder took to Twitter upon signing a new contract and wrote: “I’m not going, I’m bluffing.”

 

 

Vanaken signed a new contract with Club Brugge that runs until 2027, while it remains to be seen if West Ham pursue an alternative in the remaining hours of the window.