West Ham Missing Out On Target Due To Two Reasons | OneFootball

Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

West Ham United target CJ Egan-Riley is preferring a move to Marseille due to the lure of playing in the Champions League and the opportunity to work under Roberto De Zerbi.

The centre-back has become a hot topic in the ongoing transfer window as his contract with Burnley is set to expire at the end of June.

Scott Parker’s side tried to extend Egan-Riley’s stay at Turf Moor by offering him a new contract, but the player has rejected their approach and is now set to move.

West Ham are admirers of Egan-Riley, but he has suitors in France as well in the form of Marseille and Strasbourg.

The Hammers made an offer to the 22-year-old in the hope of signing him on a free transfer and have an offer from Strasbourg on his table as well.

Marseille were the latest club to join his pursuit, but they are the ones making progress and it has been revealed that Egan-Riley asked for the information regarding the French city and the club.

The Ligue 1 giants are in the Champions League and in the hope of bolstering their defence, they have made an offer to the English centre-back which will keep him at the club until 2029.

According to French sports daily L’Equipe, West Ham target Egan-Riley is preferring a move to Marseille due to two specific reasons.

Marseille offered him the chance to play in the Champions League, which is alluring to the centre-back, while he is an ardent admirer of former Brighton boss De Zerbi, who is the current manager of the French outfit.

West Ham are not in European competition next season, which puts them at a disadvantage in the race for Egan-Riley.

The 22-year-old has yet to finalise a deal with Marseille and now it remains to be seen whether Graham Potter’s side will make one last try to change Egan-Riley’s mind.