Player transfer preference emerges as West Ham hold talks – report

West Ham United’s Midfield Rebuild Hits a Snag as Matt O’Riley Prefers Serie A MoveWest Ham United’s summer transfer plans have hit a roadblock with the news that Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley prefers a move to Serie A over the Premier League.

Despite holding talks with the Hammers, O’Riley has his heart set on a move to Italy, with Atalanta reportedly tabling an official offer for the Denmark international.

According to HITC, O’Riley has prioritized a move to Italy over the Premier League, dealing a significant blow to West Ham’s midfield rebuild hopes.

The Hammers have been actively seeking to strengthen their midfield options, with Tomas Soucek, James Ward-Prowse, and Edson Alvarez the only natural central midfield options in the squad.O’Riley’s potential arrival would have provided much-needed competition for those positions and a real threat in the final third, given his impressive record of 19 goals and 18 assists for Celtic last season. However, the lack of European football at West Ham seems to be a significant factor in O’Riley’s decision, with the Europa League holders Atalanta reportedly his preferred destination.West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui will now need to look elsewhere to bolster his midfield options, with time running out before the start of the season.

The Hammers have already made some significant signings this summer, including Luis Guilherme, Max Kilman, and Wes Foderingham, but the midfield remains an area of concern.Flynn Downes, who returned to the club following a loan spell at Southampton, is likely to be on his way out again, with a £10m plus player deal discussed between the two clubs. This leaves West Ham with limited options in the midfield department, and O’Riley’s rejection is a significant setback.In other West Ham news, Stan Collymore has praised the board after a fresh transfer development. The Hammers are expected to be active in the transfer market in the coming weeks, with several players linked to the club.

However, O’Riley’s rejection is a reminder that attracting top talent to the London Stadium can be challenging, especially when European football is not on offer.West Ham fans will be disappointed by the news, but the club must move quickly to identify alternative options to strengthen their midfield. With the season fast approaching, the Hammers cannot afford to waste any more time in their pursuit of a top-six finish.