West Ham United have seen a €20million offer for Mohamed Ali Zoma rejected after 1. FC Nürnberg decided not to sell the highly-rated attacker before the transfer deadline.
The Hammers submitted a proposal worth around €20m including bonuses, according to German outlet ClubFokus, which cites transfer journalist Matteo Moretto.
However, Nürnberg have rejected West Ham’s approach and publicly indicated that Zoma will remain with the club for the 2026/27 season.
West Ham make €20m Mohamed Ali Zoma bid
The development marks a significant shift in West Ham’s interest.
ReadWestHam previously reported that ExWHUEmployee had dismissed links with Zoma earlier in the summer, but the Hammers have now evidently made a concrete move for the 22-year-old.
ClubFokus says West Ham’s offer reached €20m including bonuses, with Marseille also having explored Zoma’s situation.
Nürnberg nevertheless chose not to negotiate further.
Sporting director Joti Chatzialexiou confirmed after Saturday’s 4-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld that the club had told Zoma he would not be leaving.
Zoma himself also acknowledged he had received several offers but accepted Nürnberg’s decision to keep him for another season.
Nürnberg refuse to sell despite West Ham offer
That stance is particularly notable because Nürnberg had previously placed Zoma’s value at around €20m.
Earlier this month, Chatzialexiou said the attacker was worth at least that amount, while subsequent German reporting suggested the club expected him to remain because no suitable proposal had arrived.
West Ham have now effectively tested that valuation.
The answer remains no.
Nürnberg’s position appears to have hardened from setting an asking price to simply deciding the player will not be sold before Tuesday’s deadline.
Zoma fits West Ham’s late attacking search
Zoma’s profile helps explain why West Ham made such a significant offer.
The 22-year-old can operate as a second striker, left winger or centre-forward and enjoyed an impressive first season in Germany after moving from AlbinoLeffe in 2025.
He has also started the new campaign strongly, including a hat-trick against Dynamo Dresden earlier this month.
West Ham have been aggressively targeting young attacking players during the closing stages of the window.
The club have already agreed a deal for Viking winger Edvin Austbø, while other wide options have also been considered.
That suggests Zoma was not merely a speculative name.
A €20m proposal represents a significant financial commitment, particularly for a Championship club attempting to balance immediate promotion ambitions with longer-term squad building.
West Ham forced to look elsewhere
For now, however, the deal appears closed.
Nürnberg have publicly stated their intention to keep Zoma, despite West Ham reaching the previously reported €20m valuation.
Unless the German club dramatically changes its position before the deadline, the Hammers will need to focus their resources elsewhere.
With Austbø already progressing towards completion and other attacking targets still under consideration, West Ham’s late-window recruitment remains active.
But their attempt to land Zoma has met a firm barrier.
The Hammers were prepared to pay heavily for the Nürnberg attacker. The selling club simply were not prepared to let him go.
