West Ham United look set to miss out on Troy Parrott with Real Betis closing in on a €20million (£17.1m) agreement for the AZ Alkmaar striker.
The Hammers pursued Parrott earlier this summer and saw an opening offer rejected, but Nuno Espírito Santo has since turned his attention elsewhere.
Real Betis have now moved into pole position. BBC Sport reports that advanced talks with AZ are close to producing an agreement, while reports in Ireland also say negotiations have reached their final stages.
West Ham move on from Troy Parrott
Parrott had emerged as one of West Ham’s leading attacking targets following relegation to the Championship.
ReadWestHam reported earlier this month that AZ rejected West Ham’s opening bid, with the Hammers expected at the time to continue negotiations.
The Republic of Ireland international looked an attractive option after another productive season in the Netherlands, scoring 16 league goals in 28 appearances.
However, West Ham’s pursuit subsequently stalled and Joel Piroe emerged as the alternative.
That switch now looks increasingly decisive.
Joel Piroe has already completed his West Ham medical, with Nuno’s side closing in on the Leeds United forward after moving rapidly over the past few days.
Sky Sports had previously reported that West Ham were pursuing Piroe after talks for Parrott stalled.
Betis are now poised to benefit.
The Spanish club can offer Parrott Champions League football after finishing fifth in La Liga last season, while the 24-year-old has previously indicated that his career does not necessarily need to take him back to England.
For West Ham, the important part is that they appear to have already found their alternative.
Parrott may now be heading for Spain, but with Piroe on the brink of arriving in east London, Nuno’s striker search has taken a very different route.
