West Ham United must secure transfer masterstroke as Nicolo Zaniolo axed from Roma squad v Spezia
West Ham should look to secure the signing of Roma attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo in the January transfer window, and it would be a transfer masterstroke from David Moyes.
Zaniolo has a contract at the club until 2024 but he is not willing to sign a new deal at the club.
CBS Sport journalist Ben Jacobs reported on 22 January that the 23-year-old midfielder has been left out of Roma’s squad against Spezia. Clearly, his days are numbered in Italy.
Roma want to sell him permanently for a fee in the region of £30m. Alternatively, they can allow him to go out on loan with an obligation to buy.
Tottenham Hotspur are in the race for his signature, and have had a bid rejected already [Sky Italia, 19 January].
West Ham are also in the race to sign Zaniolo, with Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla reporting on 18 January that the Hammers are expected to hold talks with the player’s agent.
It’s unlikely that the Hammers will splash out £30m in January, but they can definitely look for the second option.
The Hammers are crying for creativity in the attacking areas. Lucas Paqueta, the big-money summer signing, is yet to flourish, while the club is relying on the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma once again.
Another quality attacking midfielder will give the cutting edge that the Hammers are desperately lacking at the moment.
Zaniolo has scored just twice in all competitions so far, but he is a supremely gifted player. If he settles down quickly, he can be a terrific signing for the club.
His arrival could also bring the best out of Gianluca Scamacca as well. The Hammers should look for players who can genuinely improve the first team squad, and Zaniolo is one of them.