West Ham United had looked on course to seal a move for Inter Milan winger Antonio Candreva.
The Hammers have been linked with a move for the Italy midfielder as he struggles for game time at the San Siro (The Sun).
West Ham were said to be willing to pay £10million for the winger. But a loan with the option to buy looked more likely.
And there was encouraging news for Manuel Pellegrini when a report from Italy claimed the 31-year-old was keen on a move to West Ham (Football Italia).
Candreva changes mind over West Ham move?
The Football Italia report said Candreva, who has 54 caps for Italy, ‘would be more inclined to accept a transfer to London, realising his chances of making an impact at San Siro are severely limited’.
But just as the deal seemed to be gathering momentum a new report from Tuttosport claims Candreva has turned down a move to East London after starting a family with the birth of his first child.
Tuttosport insist Candreva is still refusing to leave for a move abroad to West Ham.
Report claims birth of child has changed player’s mindset
It comes after the winger also rebuffed the Hammers in the summer.
“This is largely because his partner has just given birth to their first child,” Tuttosport reports.
“But also as he believes he’ll get more playing time now that Inter have dropped down to the Europa League from the Champions League.”
1 Inter West Ham Outta 3 for Pellegrini?
With the January transfer window open transfer speculation is hotting up for West Ham.
Manuel Pellegrini has already been linked with more than 30 players – see the full list here.
A move for Candreva’s teammate Gabriel Barbosa is dead in the water.
But Pellegrini is also interested in another Inter fringe player, Miranda – read full story here.
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