Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Wed 18 March 2026 12:10, UK

Isak Hien seems to be happy that he stayed at Atalanta following West Ham‘s attempts to sign the centre-back in the winter window.

The Hammers were keen to add defensive options to their ranks in the winter, as Nuno Espirito Santo looked to improve all areas ahead of a push to stay in the Premier League.

A move for Hien didn’t come off, but instead, the Irons signed Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea, who has so far been the best addition of the winter window.

David Sullivan splashed the cash, and could have spent even more had West Ham been successful in their pursuit of Hien, who now sounds glad that he stayed put in Italy.

What has Isak Hien said about Atalanta amid West Ham attempt?

West Ham made a late approach for Hien in the final week of the winter transfer window, before managing to secure Disasi until the end of the season.

The offer consisted of a loan move with an option to buy if the Hammers stayed in the Premier League, with the fee unknown.

• Hien has played 24 times for Atalanta in the league this season
• His Transfermarkt value is £21.5million

For whatever reason, a deal didn’t materialise, and the Swedish international has remained with the European side. He’s now spoken about his current feelings towards Atalanta.

Hien said, as quoted by TuttoMercatoWeb on Tuesday: “Atalanta is helping me a lot. I have grown a lot thanks to the Nerazzurri, and I am taking satisfaction in playing in these stadiums.

“That’s the feeling I had about Atalanta: a group that gives everything regardless of the results.”

But given the emergence of Disasi, the Hammers won’t feel too bad about the situation.

These stats prove Axel Disasi was a better signing than Hien would have been

West Ham paid around £2million to secure the services of Disasi on loan, who was initially hesitant to join the London Stadium.

The Frenchman had multiple offers with his game time at Chelsea sparse, but the Irons will be glad that he chose them.

As highlighted by Sofascore in the table above, Disasi has better one-on-one defending stats than Hien this season.

The on-loan West Ham star manages to see out a full game much more than the Atalanta man, suggesting the latter has had injury or fitness issues this season.

The eye test is also important, and West Ham know they will have done well to find anybody better than Disasi.