West Ham face new reality as update drops on Dylan Lawler transfer
Dylan Lawlor is reportedly attracting interest from Champions League clubs, but West Ham United remain steadfast in their own pursuit.
The 20-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough 2025-26 season with Cardiff City, playing 37 times in all competitions.
Thirty-two of those came in League One, ensuring he played a big role in helping the Bluebirds soar to automatic promotion to the Championship.
Joining Cardiff at the age of seven, Lawlor only made his senior debut in February 2025 when starting in an FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa.
His rise has been fairly rapid since then, and was even named as the EFL's Young Player of the Month for August last year.
Lawlor's exploits have ensured his talent is no longer a secret confined to the Welsh capital though, with West Ham hoping to bring him to the London Stadium this summer.
West Ham face Champions League competition for Dylan Lawlor
Lawlor's name has been strongly touted with West Ham in recent days, with Nuno Espirito Santo needing to rebuild his defence over the coming months.
Naturally, Hammers chiefs would've hoped to get a clear run at the centre-back this summer, but that no longer appears to be how things will go.
That's because a report from WalesOnline, has claimed that at least three further Championship sides as well as West Ham have made their interest known to Cardiff.
Meanwhile, it's claimed that an additional two Champions League sides and one Europa League outfit are also tracking the Wales international.
Two Major League Soccer (MLS) teams are also reported to have displayed a live interest in Lawlor over the past couple of months too.
However, the report does describe West Ham's interest as being "concrete", with the Irons looking for quick transfer wins this summer with potential World Cup disruption in mind.
Lawlor has been tipped to go higher than West Ham
Already having played a vital role in an EFL promotion and having been capped six times by Wales at senior international level, Lawlor may not be playing outside a top league for much longer.
"You see that interest coming in, it doesn't surprise me," Vokes said.
"It wouldn't surprise me if it's just off the back of his international performances because he's been different class and stepped up."
Meanwhile, Roberts said: "I'm not surprised that he's been linked with so many Premier League clubs because I think he's destined to play there.
"If they get a big offer, I don't think they can turn it down. If they got a £10m offer, I don't think Cardiff could turn that down."
Based on this latest update, however, with Champions League clubs being in the mix, West Ham must face up to the reality of missing out on deals like this.