There has been a big twist in West Ham’s battle with Spurs to sign a pre-contract agreement with Ruslan Malinovskyi in January.
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur were heavily linked with a move to sign Atalanta attacking midfielder Malinovskyi in the summer.
Tutto Atalanta claimed that Atalanta wanted demanding around €35 million (£30 million) from the Hammers for the 29-year-old Ukraine star.
But Calcio Mercato then reported that Tottenham boss Antonio Conte was rivalling West Ham’s interest in the brilliant Serie A midfield star.
To rub salt in the wound for West Ham, Fabrizio Romano claimed the 29-year-old ‘dreamed’ of joining Tottenham.
With Malinovskyi’s contract up at the end of the season, the £30m West Ham were quoted for him always seemed steep.
So it was no surprise when David Moyes stepped away from the deal.
Spurs were reportedly quoted around £18 million according to The Express.
Big twist in West Ham battle with Spurs to sign pre-contract agreement with Ruslan Malinovskyi in January
But in the end neither West Ham or Tottenham pushed through with a move.
With the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Nikola Vlasic, Said Benrahma and potentially even Tomas Soucek having uncertain futures at West Ham, there have been reports Moyes and Spurs boss Conte would renew their battle for Malinovskyi in the winter window with a view to getting him for nothing next summer.
But there has been a big twist in the West Ham battle with Spurs to sign a pre-contract agreement with Malinovskyi in January.
Because according to TMW and Football Italia, Malinovskyi has agreed to sign a two-year contract renewal with Atalanta, tying him to the club until 2025.
“His wife Roxana clearly didn’t want to leave Italy in the summer and the renewal may allow him to fully focus on the pitch now, clearing his head of the transfer noise,” Football Italia report.
Last season, Malinovskyi scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in 41 games across all competitions.
So it seems any hopes of a move to sign Malinovskyi have been extinguished. Even if West Ham or Spurs are still willing to pay for him despite the new contract, his wife appears to want to remain in Italy.