West Ham United get transfer boost as Lazar Samardzic twist emerges
West Ham transfer target Lazar Samardzic has seen his move to Inter Milan collapse despite a medical being completed last week, giving the East London club an opportunity to pounce.
Fabrizio Romano shared via his Twitter account on 16 August that negotiations are off for the midfielder’s move to Inter despite an agreement having been reached with Udinese last week, and he will now return to the club he is under contract at.
Reports from Italy [Gazzetta Dello Sport, 14 August] suggested West Ham view Samardzic as a possible replacement for Lucas Paqueta, if the Brazilian makes the move to Manchester City this summer, and could move towards a £17.2million deal.
The door has been opened
As rumours continue to circle about Paqueta’s move to the Premier League Champions, West Ham will need to step up their interest in possible replacements to avoid being caught short with around two weeks left before the transfer window on 1 September.
The Hammers are reluctant to let their Brazilian star leave this summer, having already lost Declan Rice earlier in the summer, but could be powerless to resist if Manchester City come in with a huge offer for him, as reports suggest he is hopeful of the move.
Samardzic scored five goals and bagged four assists for Udinese last season, and is capable of playing in several different roles in the team, much like Paqueta is at the London Stadium.
West Ham won’t be given a better opportunity to swoop for one of their transfer targets than right now, during a breakdown between other clubs, they could come in to offer the midfielder another way out.
In other West Ham news, the club have made contact with a CL club over their star striker.