West Ham lead Jan Ziółkowski transfer race as Roma prepare summer sale

West Ham United appear to be moving into a strong position in the race for Jan Ziółkowski, with fresh reports in Italy suggesting the Premier League club are currently the most advanced suitors for the Roma defender ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old centre-back has emerged as one of the more intriguing young defensive names on the market after a stop-start season in Serie A, and while Newcastle United have also been linked in recent weeks, the momentum around West Ham’s interest is growing.

That matters because Ziółkowski’s situation in Rome is changing quickly.

After a promising period earlier in the campaign, his opportunities have dried up significantly under Gian Piero Gasperini, and the expectation in Italy now is that a summer exit is becoming increasingly likely.

Italian outlet RomaGiallorossa reports that West Ham are currently leading the interest in the Poland international, with the London club having tracked his development for some time.

Crucially, this is no longer described as passive monitoring.

Initial contact has reportedly already been made, and there is a belief the situation could accelerate once the transfer window officially opens.

In modern recruitment, prolonged scouting often matters more than late interest because clubs that have followed a player over time usually move with greater conviction when opportunities open up.

For West Ham, that appears to be the case here.

Ziółkowski is viewed as a player with immediate upside and longer-term growth potential — a profile the Hammers have increasingly targeted in recent windows.

Roma are expected to reshape parts of their squad this summer, and Ziółkowski looks increasingly likely to be one of the players moved on. The coming weeks could be important as clubs formalise interest and test Roma’s valuation.

For West Ham, the next step would be deciding how aggressively to move before competition intensifies. If Newcastle or other Premier League clubs step in, the price and pace of the deal could change quickly.