With West Ham knowing they’d have to replace Pedro Obiang should they allow him to return to Sampdoria, and just three or so days left in the transfer window, the chances of the Spaniard leaving London Stadium are diminishing greatly by the hour.
This is what Il Secolo XIX are reporting on Monday morning, explaining the the hope of reopening negotiations for the 26-year-old are ‘practically non-existent’, and while brief contacts are being maintained, ‘a miracle’ would be needed to get the deal over the line.
The story comes a couple of days after Calciomercato claimed West Ham were threatening ‘legal action’ after intermediaries started ‘meddling in a potential transfer’, which led to the talks ending abruptly in the first place.
Because of the situation, Il Secolo state the Serie A side have started looking at other options, such as Barcelona’s Sergi Samper, who spent last season on loan at Las Palmas.
Gazzetta dello Sport are a bit more optimistic, even if they maintain there’s a €2m gap between the Hammers’ demands and what Sampdoria are prepared to offer for the midfielder’s services.
As things stand, it seems Obiang will be staying.
