Exclusive: West Ham failed in late move to sign Norwich City sensation

West Ham failed in a late-window move to sign Norwich City new boy Regan Riley, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.

This site revealed last Thursday Norwich had beaten Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion to the capture of 18-year-old midfielder, a deal subsequently announced on deadline day.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that West Ham also tried to win the race for in-demand Riley by launching a late swoop.

But the teenage sensation had set his heart on a move to Norwich and the Hammers' interest was not enough to sway him.

Riley was keen to head to Carrow Road and join a new club renowned in recent years for promoting youthful talent and handing them extended first-team appearances.

He namechecked the progress at Norwich of the likes of Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell, who have all been developed at the club into proven top-level stars.

Riley is set to initially link up with the Under-23s at Norwich before being promoted to senior football.

He has already had a taste of first-team life at Bolton, where he became the club's fifth youngest-ever player last season when he made his debut against Tranmere Rovers in League One.

The young midfielder made a further first-team appearance for Wanderers before heading to Norwich in a deal Football Insider has been told is worth £250,000.

Norwich City are eyeing an immediate return to the Premier League after last season's relegation.

They are currently top of the Championship after 26 matches, four points clear of Swansea City in second.

In other news, Agbonlahor scoffs at late-window West Ham signing.