West Ham turned down the chance to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana because they felt he was no better than their current crop – despite the club still wanting to sign another one before the transfer window closes.
In a brutal assessment of the error-prone United stopper, the Hammers felt he was no improvement on Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola, who have both endured torrid starts to the season.
United offered West Ham the chance to take Onana on loan but senior sources told Daily Mail Sport on Friday they didn't think he was as good as what they already have.
This comes after Hermansen, who joined in a £18million deal from Leicester in the summer, conceded eight goals in his first two league games, including three from corners against Chelsea, before Areola had his own shocker in the League Cup defeat to Wolves.
The dismal 5-1 defeat to Chelsea sparked club bosses to go back into the market for another keeper as they reignited interest in Botafogo's John Victor.
Onana, however, was still not considered good enough.
West Ham rejected the chance to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana
The club didn't think Onana was better than the error-strewn Mads Hermansen
Ruben Amorim has lost faith in Onana, who has lost his No 1 spot at Old Trafford
Liverpool
Arsenal
*18+, excludes NI. Terms and conditions apply
United boss Ruben Amorim has lost faith in Onana, who started in goal for the defeat to Grimsby on penalties, and Altay Bayindir has replaced him as No 1.
'It's not about Andre,' said Amorim after the defeat.
'We are here with all due respect. I already said the best team won, but this is a fourth division team. Andre should just play with his feet during this game?
'It's not that that happened. It's not the goalkeeper, it's more than that.
'It's everybody.'