West Ham United reportedly tried to sign Marc Roca in the January window, but walked away from a deal when Espanyol refused to negotiate his release clause, per Sport.
Sport suggested on Tuesday in an exclusive reveal that the Hammers attempted to sign the 22-year-old defender in the winter market, and note that the East London outfit were first to put their name in the hat but were rivaled by Inter Milan in their efforts.
The Spain U21 international could have left the La Liga side if a suitable offer was made, but that offer, according to Sport, would have had to have been his €40million (£35.2m) release clause.
Inter reportedly made an alternative bid after the Hammers withdrew, which focused on a loan to buy deal, but this was immediately rejected as Roca is an integral member of Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia’s side.
TransferMarkt currently values Roca at £10.8million, yet that figure has grown exponentially since the start of the season.
West Ham could reignite their interest in the summer as Sport suggest Pellegrini regularly sends members of his scouting team to the RCDE Stadium.
