West Ham United’s failure to sign Bologna centre-half Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer is set to cost David Moyes deeply, with the Serie A outfit confident their star defender will soon be worth in excess of £30million.

What’s the word?

According to Calciomercato, AC Milan strove to sign Tomiyasu in the recent transfer market but failed to convince Bologna to reduce their €25m (£22.6m) valuation closer to the Rossoneri’s offer of €15m (£13.5m) plus a small bonus clause.

Bologna refused to negotiate their asking price as they are convinced the 21-year-old will be worth more than €30m (£27.1m) to €35m (£31.6m) in only a matter of years, making conditions far from ideal for any side wishing to sign Tomiyasu in January.

The Japan international, for his part, is happy at the Renato Dall'Ara yet is aware that Milan continues to track his situation, though the San Siro giants are expected to adopt the same approach as the summer as Tomiyasu’s performances have not consistently been at the highest level.

Tomiyasu has started all five of Bologna’s Serie A fixtures this term, but Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side are yet to keep a clean sheet, have lost on four occasions and have conceded a total 10 goals to sit outside the relegation places only on goal difference.

His form is unlikely to see West Ham revive efforts to strike a deal, either, after the Irons took a keen interest in the 20-cap talent this summer, per the Evening Standard, amid Moyes’ search for a new right-back as Tomiyasu is also capable of playing in wide defence or holding midfield if needed.

A costly error?

While Tomiyasu has not hit the same heights this season as he achieved last term, the 21-year-old Japan international may yet prove to be a costly mistake for West Ham as he is a player well thought of in Italy.

Bologna describe their €7m (£6.3m) signing on their official website as: “Physically well structured, ambidextrous, he has the aptitudes of a true defensive playmaker.

“Takehiro strikes for reactivity, strength in anticipation – in particular, he dominates on high balls – and uncommon football intelligence.”

Tuttobologna reporter Manuel Minguzzi also lauded Tomiyasu while speaking with the Chronicle this summer, after Newcastle United scouted the defender in view of his impressive start to life in Italy once signed from Belgian side St Truiden.

“Tomiyasu is a very versatile defender: he can be both a full back and a central player, he is very applied and focused,” he said. “Fans can always expect maximum professionalism and commitment from Tomiyasu.

“As a central [defender] he made some mistakes, but in Serie A it is quite normal because adaptation is needed. Tomiyasu also possesses great qualities when building the game. I was very struck by the fact that in the first year of Serie A, he immediately became the protagonist.”

Tomiyasu currently averages 67 touches a game in the Italian top-flight, and has played Bologna’s highest number of passes (265), won the most aerial duels (11), recorded the most clearances (17) and made the second-most interceptions (14), per SofaScore.

Clearly, then, if the Japan international is able to shrug off his early struggles this season, his form will return and raise frustrations in east London that West Ham were not able to seal a deal this summer.

AND in other news, David Moyes needs a “terrific” West Ham man he expects “much more” from to step up now more than ever.