West Ham United are courting AS Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini ([La Repubblica](https://www.repubblica.it/sport/calcio/mercato/2025/08/12/diretta/calciomercato_news_oggi_donnarumma_manchester_city_pellegrini_west_ham-424785466/)). The Hammers are ‘ready to submit an offer to the Giallorossi in the coming days’.
West Ham’s search for midfield reinforcement this summer is no news. The roster lacked quality in the middle of the park last term, and manager Graham Potter could use a few additions.
Apart from a holding midfielder, West Ham need a creative fulcrum that can pry open defences, a player who seamlessly connects the midfield to the attack.
West Ham reportedly have eyes on Pellegrini, whose future is up in the air following the arrival of new boss Gian Piero Gasperini, to fill the role.
The Italian international endured a subdued 2024/25 campaign, scoring only three times and providing three assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.
On his day, Pellegrini is one of the best midfielders in Italy.
[Lauded by Jose Mourinho as ‘intelligent’](https://www.asroma.com/en/news/62726/mourinho-praises-pellegrini-as-he-rules-out-major-changes), he can instigate attacks with his passing and also has an eye for goal, with leadership qualities to boot.
But let’s be honest, this report has to be nonsense.
West Ham cannot seriously be considering spending big wages and a transfer fee on a 29-year-old, injury-prone midfielder whose best years are behind him.
Pellegrini may have pedigree, but this West Ham squad needs to get younger, hungrier, and more athletic if Potter’s project is going to take off.
Adding a declining player into a midfield already crying out for dynamism would be a step backwards. The wiser play would be to double down on the Mateus Fernandes pursuit.
Southampton’s valuation might be steep, but negotiating it down makes far more sense than committing resources to a short-term gamble.
If the Hammers are serious about building a side that can compete for Europe year after year, they need legs and long-term upside, not a signing that could turn into another costly passenger.
_Stats from Transfermarkt_