West Ham United midfielder Pedro Obiang has been tipped to leave the Premier League and return to Serie A with Sampdoria this summer.
Sampdoria will now be doubly glad that they managed to snap up Leeds United midfielder Ronaldo Vieira last week, because it seems that Pedro Obiang will not be returning to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris after all.
Obiang moved to West Ham United in 2015 after impressing with Samp in Serie A and has been heavily linked with his former club in recent weeks.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio in July, the Genoa-based side made an £8 million bid for the Spaniard and were prepared to offer him a five-year contract. And Football London have stated that Obiang was keen to return to the club where he started his professional career after a spell in the Atletico Madrid academy.
But Football London adds that West Ham have now moved to block Obiang’s hopes of an exit with the 26-year-old set to remain a key part of the squad ahead of the 2018/19 campaign – though he may be allowed to leave next summer instead.
This will be a boost for new Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini, who was aiming to keep hold of a player who has impressed the fans with his work rate and energy in midfield over recent seasons.
There is no guarantee that Obiang will be a regular starter in the coming months, however, with Declan Rice set to return to midfield, Jack Wilshere signed and Carlos Sanchez expected to arrive on loan from Fiorentina.
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