West Ham have had their approach for Inter Milan winger Valentino Lazaro dismissed according to reports.
Lazaro was brought to San Siro from Hertha Berlin over the summer in a deal worth around £20m after an impressive couple of seasons in the Bundesliga.
He has found game time hard to come by since the switch though, and has featured just five times for the Nerazzuri, failing to complete a full 90 minutes.
Lazaro’s tough start to life in Milan was thought to have alerted West Ham, who have enquired about signing the Austrian in January for around the £20m that Inter paid for him.
But according to FC Inter News, this interest has been swiftly rebuffed the Hammers interest, as they don’t want to give up on the player so soon after his move.
The 23 year-old is a versatile player who can play on either flank or at right back, and has been used largely as a wing back in Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 system.
It was thought that Manuel Pellegrini was looking to add more pace out wide to his struggling side in the form of the youthful yet experienced international, who has 30 caps for Austria.
The Irons have faltered recently after a good start to the season that included a victory over Manchester United, but currently sit just three points above the relegation zone in 17th.
They are without a win since September, and pressure is building on Pellegrini, who is among the bookies’ favourites to be sacked next.
13 – Romelu Lukaku (eight) and Lautaro Martínez (five) have scored 13 away goals combined in Serie A current season, only two sides have netted more so far (excluding Inter). Export. pic.twitter.com/zzbc4olbkY
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) November 25, 2019
Inter, on the other hand have made an impressive start to the Serie A season, and currently sit just one point behind a Juventus side that have won the last eight Scudetto.
Conte’s side boast a perfect record away from home, and have profited largely from the impressive form of summer signing Romelu Lukaku and strike partner Lautaro Martinez.
The pair have 13 goals on the road between them, which is more than all but two other team in Italy’s top flight.
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