West Ham United look to have missed out on yet another target after a fresh twist in the chase for Juventus defender Daniele Rugani.
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The Hammers are the only Premier League club yet to bring in a new face this window.
That does look set to change with the impending signing of Slavia Prague right-back Vladimir Coufal (Daily Mail).
But David Moyes – desperate for a centre-back (Evening Standard) – is going to miss out on another of his prime targets if reports from Italy are to be believed.
Moyes wanted Juve defender Rugani
Moyes has already lost out to other clubs for a plethora of targets from Eberechi Eze to Ollie Watkin and Shane Duffy to name but a few.
Now Juve centre-back Rugani looks like being added to the list. That’s after the 26-year-old agreed a loan move to Ligue 1 side Rennes.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a deal to sign Rugani (Gianluca Di Marzio and ExWHUemployee).
West Ham were favourites in the early stages with Di Marzio claiming they were the only club in ‘genuine negotiations’.
Then reports emerged claiming Valencia were in pole position (Cadena Cope, Football Espana and Football Italia).
Fresh twist as Hammers miss out on yet another target
Things took another turn when Sportitalia and Football Italia reported that West Ham’s Prem rivals Newcastle had moved to the front of the queue with a higher bid.
But there was yet another twist last night after the Italian transfer guru Di Marzio claimed a deal has been agreed between Juve and Rennes.
And it appears West Ham were not even in the mix for the player, who has seven caps for Italy.
“Rennes have closed the deal for Daniele Rugani from Juventus,” Di Marzio said on his own website.
French club to announce loan deal for Rugani – Di Marzio
“The pursuit by the French club was successful over that of Newcastle, who also was involved over the past day. The move for Rugani is a loan costing €1.5m (£1.37m) plus Rennes will pay the cost of his entire wages.”
Football Italia also claim a deal has been struck by Champions League side Rennes, who say terms have been agreed with the player ahead of an expected announcement this weekend.
It is yet another blow to Moyes’s plans. And the rare wave of positivity following last weekend’s brilliant 4-0 win over Wolves has quickly subsided.
The 4-1 midweek defeat to Everton and a lack of arrivals threatens to dampen the mood once more.
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