---
title: "West Ham target Lobotka joins Napoli in £21.5m move"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2020/01/16/west-ham-target-lobotka-joins-napoli-in-21-5m-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Alex Turk"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2020-01-16T07:30:00Z"
modified: "2020-01-16T07:30:00Z"
---

# West Ham target Lobotka joins Napoli in £21.5m move

West Ham United and Arsenal have been dealt a transfer blow as midfield target [Stanislav Lobotka completes a £21.5million move from Celta Vigo to Napoli](https://twitter.com/sscnapoli/status/1217446947730219009?s=20).

The Serie A club announced the deal yesterday, after fending off interest from the Premier League duo to secure Gennaro Gattuso’s second signing as manager.

West Ham have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old midfielder [since the summer](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jun/11/west-ham-pablo-fornals-lobotka-villarreal-transfer-roundup) when they cooled their interest and signed Pablo Fornals instead.

Lobotka has earned 22 caps for Slovakia and is [praised for his composure off the ball, ability to play short passes and focus](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/111892/Show/Stanislav-Lobotka).

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Ultimately, Lobotka was just one of a handful of midfield names linked with the Hammers so far this month.

I think bolstering his options in the middle of the park will be a priority for David Moyes now Darren Randolph’s £4million return has been confirmed.

[Stoke City’s Joe Allen, Genk’s Sander Berge and Marseille’s Morgan Samson](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/07/west-ham-loan-move-benfica-midfielder-gedson-fernandes-stalls) are still being linked and if I was to make a prediction, I’d say the former is the most likely candidate.

West Ham will probably secure a midfield signing before the transfer deadline, however, it’s a tricky time to do business and fans could be in for disappointment.

Declan Rice has held the defensive midfield position down admirably throughout a tough season so far, but we believe he really needs back-up that would not only help in the short-term but also benefit his long-term development too.