West Ham looking to sign third division player – Hammers contact for bargain

VfL Osnabrück’s Ismail Badjie has emerged as a surprise target for West Ham United ahead of the summer window. 

The 20-year-old came up through the ranks of the third-division German club’s youth system and made his first team debut in 2024.

VfL Osnabrück sent him on loan to another lower division German side, SC Wiedenbrück, last season. He managed two goals and an assist from 633 minutes from 12 matches.

Since returning to his parent club, the attacking midfielder has enjoyed a good run, and it would have caught West Ham’s attention.

He scored eight goals and contributed one assist from 30 matches in all competitions this season.

His league stats this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 29
• Starts: 8
• Total minutes: 1,015
• Minutes per game: 35
• Goals: 7
• Assists: 1
• Key passes per game: 0.5
• Shots on target per game: 0.4

West Ham make approach

The Gambia-born youngster has caught the attention of the Premier League side and also clubs from the Bundesliga.

That’s according to Deich Stube, a website dedicating their coverage to Werder Bremen.

The latest claims from elsewhere in Germany have reported both Werder Bremen and Borussia Mönchengladbach interest in Ismail Badjie. Deich Stube relays this and then provides their own updates on the VfL Osnabrück star.

He’s attracting interest from several clubs, including West Ham United. The report states the Hammers, Gladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt have all made contact. It’s not clear whether these three clubs approached his agent, club or both.

The youngster’s contract lasts until 2028 but his chances of staying at Osnabrück after this season are low. The third-division German club are looking for ‘low single-digit millions’ for him. In other words, the fee could range between €1-5m.

Our take: Good option for West Ham

In the winter market, Lucas Paquetá left the London club and made a switch to Flamengo. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side didn’t sign a replacement for the Brazilian in the same window and Ismail Badjie could be an option in the summer.

West Ham United are 17th in the table, two points above 18th placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Even if the Hammers drop out of the Premier League, the VfL Osnabrück player can still be a good and cheap option for them. Transfermarkt now value Badjie at €325,000.