Why West Ham will live with Mohamed Ali Zoma regret amid £21.5m update

West Ham United will live with regret at not signing Mohamed Ali Zoma when they had the chance.

Zoma emerged as a target for West Ham towards the end of the summer transfer window.

It was reported at the end of August that West Ham were willing to bid £17.1million for the winger, plus possible add-ons.

However, he remained at FC Nurnberg and his career is only now heading in one direction.

That is after Zoma was called up by Roberto Mancini to the Italy national team squad for this current window.

And a new update has now emerged with regards to West Ham's interest in the soon-to-be Italy international.

How much did West Ham actually bid for Mohamed Ali Zoma?

Nuno Espirito Santo will be happy with West Ham's summer transfer window, all things considered.

Another attacker was clearly wanted late in the window, but that looks like less of an issue now.

According to Corriere dello Sport on Thursday morning, West Ham did indeed make a move for Zoma in the summer.

It is reported that the Hammers were prepared to go as high as £21.5m when add-ons are included.

Nurnberg rejected that, as well as a bigger bid from Premier League side Hull City.

The German club had faith that Zoma would be worth more than that one day, and so it has proved.

The report outlines how the 22-year-old's price tag is only now going to shoot up further after his Italy call-up.

West Ham will wonder if they should have offered more, but the chance to sign Zoma is now surely gone.

Where would Zoma have fitted in at West Ham?

Zoma is a right-footed winger who plays out on the left, with a clear eye for goal.

Solomon has mainly been used in that position, with Joel Piroe and Taty Castellanos up top and Jarrod Bowen on the right.

So it effectively would have been a choice between Solomon and Zoma for regular starts.

Solomon has two goals and two assists in eight Championship appearances this season, which is a healthy return.

Zoma, for comparison, has six goals in six 2.Bundesliga matches this term.

If it was a choice between the two, it is a different debate entirely.

But with Solomon recruited in early-August, there realistically would not have been any place for Zoma in the side.