West Ham look set to lose out to Napoli for Celta Vigo midfielder Stanislav Lobotka after the Slovakian decided he wants to move to Italy, according to Il Mattino.

The Naples based newspaper claims the Hammers were willing to buy the 25-year-old, while Napoli are only willing to loan the player, with an option to purchase at the end of the season for €20m (£17m).

Lobotka has been linked with a move to West Ham before, with it being reported in the summer that the Irons were looking at a double swoop for him and his teammate Maxi Gomez.

Neither player ended up moving to the London Stadium in the end, and it seems they will miss out on the Slovakian for a second time.

Lobotka’s agents have reaffirmed to Napoli that their client wants to make the switch to Serie A, but the next day or so could prove decisive as to where he will end up.