West Ham United bolstered their midfield by adding Flynn Downes and Lucas Paquetá to their squad in the last window.
Prior to signing Paquetá from Lyon towards the end of the window, the Hammers looked at other targets, including Club Brugge’s Hans Vanaken and Napoli’s Piotr Zieliński.
Vanaken has spoken publicly about West Ham’s approach, while various reports in Italy have talked about the English club’s failed efforts to sign the Serie A star.
Last month, we carried a report from Corriere dello Sport, who explained the 28-year-old ‘chose not to leave’ Napoli for David Moyes’ side.
The Premier League club failed to convince Luciano Spalletti’s side to sell the Poland international. Journalist Ciro Venerato explains why West Ham couldn’t secure the deal even though Napoli opened the door for Zieliński’s sale.
“The hottest renewal? Surely that of Piotr Zielinski. Napoli had thought of selling the midfielder, but the English team that wanted him [West Ham] offered only 50% of what [Napoli chairman Aurelio] De Laurentiis wanted,” Venerato told TV station Luna, relayed by Area Napoli.
“Napoli, having taken note of the low offer of the English club, consequently decided not to sell Piotr Zielinski. The choice then fell on Fabián Ruiz, sold to PSG.
“The Polish midfielder must find an agreement on both the duration and the salary. Cristiano Giuntoli, Napoli’s sporting director, will be forced to work overtime in order to reach an agreement that can satisfy all the parties involved.”
Zieliński has starred for Napoli this season, managing four goals and five assists so far.
