West Ham miss out on reported target Steven Nzonzi

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West Ham United have missed the boat over Steven Nzonzi, who has joined Ligue 1 outfit Rennes on transfer deadline day.

The French enforcer was supposed to spend the entire 2019/20 season on loan at Galatasaray, but got suspended in December for ‘disciplinary reasons’.

The Turkish club announced on Friday evening that they had ended the 31-year-old’s stint at the Türk Telekom Stadium, with AS Roma swiftly confirming he has headed to France in a loan deal – with the option for a one-year extension.

The development comes days after Turkish outlet Gunes had reported the Irons had actually struck an agreement for the star’s transfer.

David Moyes is scrambling to get players in with time fast running out before the window closes at 11pm.

Nzonzi, who cost Roma £27 million after the 2018 World Cup (Goal), could be a real regret for the Hammers, who have made one addition to their midfield in Thomas Soucek.

TBR’s view – Nzonzi’s midfield presence would have been nice

Time will tell if this non-transfer will prove significant for West Ham.

In theory, he would have really bolstered the Hammers’ engine room, and of course, he has previous Premier League experience having played nearly 200 top-flight games during his time at Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.

The Hammers may be banking on Soucek to provide a bit of steel in midfield, but David Moyes has been talking up his attacking qualities, with Nzonzi strictly a holding midfielder.