West Ham Battle Serie A Giants for £21m-Rated French Star

West Ham Set for Signing Race for Serie A Star

West Ham United's trials and tribulations this season have been there for all to see, and Nuno Santo and his side have began weighing their options ahead of the soon-open January transfer window.

With underwhelming wantaway Niclas Fullkrug set to depart the club for AC Milan in the coming days, The Hammers are quickly putting together a well-documented search for a new striker at the London Stadium this winter, and have started looking into other areas of play as well - they are now set to go head-to-head with a Serie A giant to secure the services of star winger.

Laurienté si aggiudica il premio @figurinepanini Player of the Match 🏆👏#MilanSassuolo pic.twitter.com/J4OyIHHV47

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) December 14, 2025

Hammer Set to Scrap for Lauriente Signing

Armand Lauriente of Sassuolo is the man of the hour, with the talented winger being earmarked by clubs across Europe this January window.

The 27-year-old was indeed meant to be heading to the Premier League back in the summer, with Sunderland having agreed everything necessary to bring the Frenchman to the Stadium of Light ahead of their outstanding first season back, but the move fell apart at the very last moment due to disputes on the final details of his contract.

As such, he remained in Serie A this term and has continued to enjoy himself, notching three goals and as many assists in 13 league starts to guide Sassuolo to 9th in the Italian top-flight.

🚨 West Ham United are battling Napoli for the signature of Sassuolo winger Armand Laurienté.

He could be allowed to leave for a fee of around £21M.

(Source: Area Napoli) pic.twitter.com/f8TelQW0xJ

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 28, 2025

However, an exit for Lauriente may still remain only around the corner. The acitvity around him and Sunderland back in the summer has alerted several clubs around Europe of his potential availability and are starting to make initial enquiries for his services. In the Premier League, Sunderland are still expected to go in for their missed target this winter, but West Ham are deemed to be the leading club in the mini-race to sign him.

Lauriente is valued at around £21m at the moment, and has seen interest in his services from Napoli. The defending Serie A champions are expected to be the biggest obstacle for anyone else tempted with a bid for the winger, holding the biggest likelihood of striking a deal. However, West Ham are remaining heavily interested at this time and are expected to still contend with Antonio Conte's side for a potential deal, according to Area Napoli.