West Ham mocked in Italian press as they are told £22m ace would immediately reject transfer

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The message from Italy this week is that, if West Ham United fancy their chances of luring one of the finest full-backs in the game to the Premier League, well think again.

Asthma inhaler in hand and science class diorama in the two-strapped backpack, the vision conjured up by the Italian press is one of West Ham United’s voice cracking as they ask the preppy cheerleader to the high school prom, only to be pantsed by her jock boyfriend in front of the entire football team.

Not a particularly happy image, if you will pardon the 1990s, coming-of-age comedy flick rip-off.

Now, the Hammers do not seem afraid of aiming high heading into the January transfer window. Funds may be tight with loan deals again potentially the order of the day, but West Ham are positioning themselves as a solution to Kobbie Mainoo’s nightmare at Manchester United. Other reported targets include players at Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

Bayern benchwarmer Sacha Boey has admirers in East London, according to reports. Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta-like wonderkid Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez is coveted, too.

Hammers News can also confirm that West Ham held discussions with Real Madrid in October regarding their baby-faced striking duo Gonzalo Garcia and Endrick.

But approach Inter Milan’s bullet train right-back Denzel Dumfries at your peril.

Gazzetta dello Sport explain why Inter’s Denzel Dumfries would reject West Ham

Gazzetta dello Sport, one of the premier publications in Italian football, this week provided a detailed rundown regarding Dumfries’ future, and the £22 million release clause which is likely to see clubs from across the continent gather like ducks at the sight of a freshly-baked loaf.

Dutch powerhouse Dumfries has been linked with Manchester United, Newcastle, Aston Villa and more over the years. Gazzetta, though, believe that an enquiry had also arrived from West Ham, though they do not say exactly when this occurred.

The overarching point, though, is that it will take a club in a much higher standing than the Hammers to convince Dumfries to walk away from the serial Scudetto challengers and last season’s Champions League runners-up

“If a big club signs up, Denzel is game. If a team as calibre as West Ham signs up – as has already happened – Denzel will stay in Milan,” Gazzetta write, in a rather brutal dismissal of Hammers hopes.

“But that’s another topic. What’s certain is that between the injury, the change of agent, and the release clause, Dumfries’s present isn’t exactly a happy one.”

Now 29, Dumfries had already seen his position in the Inter XI come under threat before the ankle injury which has kept him on the sidelines for the last few weeks. One of the most formidable attacking full-backs or wing-backs in Europe he may be – the former PSV Eindhoven skipper scored 11 times and assisted six in 2024/25 – the signing of Luis Henrique from Marseille creates the impression that Inter may be ready to oversee a transition.

Henrique, 23, is six years Dumfries’ junior.

Sam Allardyce sticks up for Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The question is, as buccanneeringly brilliant as Dumfries can be, why West Ham would want to spend £22 million of an already limited budget on another right-sided full-back.

Yes, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker-Peters cannot match his tally of 17 goal contributions, but reinforcements are needed with far greater urgency in other areas.

This is also why a deal for the aforementioned Sacha Boey, also a target for Crystal Palace, seems unlikely.

After a poor start to the season, former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce spoke glowingly about Wan-Bissaka this week on his very Big Sam-titled No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.

“Wan-Bissaka was battered at Man United because he couldn’t play. He was the best defensive full-back in the league,” Allardyce said following ‘AWB’ defensive masterclass in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

“He’s the best stopper of crosses. He was the best at winning possession back. Why does he need to get forward when you’re playing for Man United when he should just give it to that midfield player or that wide man or that centre forward and that’s his job done?

“But no, no, no, no. He’s got to do this that and the other. [United icon] Gary Neville couldn’t do it. Gary Neville wasn’t great going forward. Wasn’t great at crossing. But he was really good at defending.”