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West Ham United look set to miss out on bringing in Anass Salah-Eddine from Italian side Roma as he is backing out of joining the Hammers.
On the final day of the summer transfer window, the Hammers have turned their focus on strengthening their defence, with multiple moves being worked on.
Leicester City defender Wout Faes and Nottingham Forest centre-back Morato are the main targets, but a left-back also remains on the agenda.
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Roma’s 24-year-old full-back Salah-Eddine is a player they have also put on their shortlist, with efforts being made to sign him.
The Morocco international is no longer in manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans and therefore, his departure was not going to cause any major issues for the Italian giants.
In fact, it was suggested that only the final details remained before an agreement was reached between West Ham and Roma for Salah-Eddine over a loan deal.
However, in a sudden turn of events, a deal is set to be off, as Salah Eddine ‘never boarded the plane’ and he is still in Italy, according to Dutch journalist Joost Blaauwhof.
He ‘is backing out’ of completing a move to West Ham before the window closes.
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 18th |
| 2024–25 | 14th |
| 2023–24 | 9th |
| 2022–23 | 14th |
| 2021–22 | 7th |
Born in the Netherlands, Salah-Eddine decided to represent Morocco at the international level only last year after having played junior football with the Netherlands.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, making 25 appearances.
The Dutch giants had the option of buying him, but he decided against a permanent move with a view to playing elsewhere.
At West Ham, he would have had the opportunity to play with some Dutch players such as Joel Veltman and Leeds United loanee Joel Piroe; he has decided that he does not see the Hammers as a viable option even though he has no future at the Giallorossi.
Last summer, before his move to PSV Eindhoven, Salah-Eddine had attracted the attention of multiple clubs, among whom were Scottish giants Celtic and Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.
Whether the London club will be able to land a replacement for El Hadji Malick Diouf in the coming hours, remains to be seen.
