West Ham United are set to make a move for Internazionale midfielder Roberto Gagliardini, as reported by FC Inter News.

What's the story?

The Hammers are looking at the 25-year-old as an answer to their current midfield issue, with ExWHUemployee having stated that this is a priority position during the West Ham Way Podcast 163.

This stance comes with Carlos Sanchez currently acting as the closest competition to Mark Noble and Declan Rice, despite the Colombian only amassing 113 minutes of Premier League football so far this campaign.

West Ham are supposedly admirers of the Italian, though AC Milan would also be interested in signing him.

There could be a large obstacle in the way of them getting him in January though, as Antonio Conte wants the midfielder to stay with the club, while Gagliardini is also happy to remain in Milan.

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Wasting time

It can be seen as admirable that West Ham feel that they can persuade the Italian to make the move to London Stadium, but at the end of the day, it seems likely that this could end up being a massive waste of time.

Considering the current situation of comfort that Gagliardini seems to be experiencing with Inter, West Ham would need to be able to turn the midfielder's head if he is to make the transfer - that is pretty hard to do when sitting just one point above the relegation zone.

Did he really play for us?! No West Ham fan has managed to name all of these obscure Irons signings....

Across the Champions League and Serie A, he has made 11 starts and four substitute appearances this season, getting two goals and one assist.

This indicates that while he isn't a starter, Gagliardini is a player of use to Inter, making any potential deal harder to complete.

In all, it feels difficult to see this move going through, so it could turn out to be a waste of precious time in January if they pursue it.

Meanwhile, David Moyes is looking towards his former club with a January transfer move.