Troy Parrott 'has made up his mind' on West Ham move as 'big' offer lined up
Troy Parrott is keen to stay away from English football and complete a move to another European side despite interest from West Ham.
The 24-year-old left English football in 2024 when he completed a move to Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar from Tottenham, and has gone from strength to strength on the continent.
Amid growing interest from clubs in Germany and Italy, there is a feeling the Republic of Ireland international would prefer to opt against a return to England.
Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Hammers will find it difficult to beat their big-name rivals in the race to land Parrott this summer.
Nuno Espirito Santo has been keen to add a new striker to his starting XI ahead of the Championship season, and the AZ star had ranked highly on their list of targets.
However, Parrott was always regarded as an ambitious target, and it now looks like West Ham will be forced to consider other options in their pursuit.
Could West Ham make a move for Troy Parrott?
Brown told Football Insider on 4 August that West Ham are eyeing a move for Parrott and could look to convince him of a return to English football before the window closes.
Promises of a role as a mainstay in their starting XI, plans to return to the Premier League, and the allure of a move to London, had all been considered to tempt him in.
However, their efforts may now be in vein, with the striker having made up his mind that remaining on the continent would be the best next step for his carreer.
"It looks like it would be a very difficult deal for West Ham to do," Brown told Football Insider.
"A lot will depend on the player and what West Ham are willing to promise him, because he would be guarunteed minutes and they obviously are aiming to win promotion.
"The problem is, Parrott is like a lot of players I've seen in the past, where the move away from the Premier League and into Europe has really suited his game.
"He's been able to develop away from that spotlight that comes on every player in English football, and by all accounts he's been excellent over in the Netherlands.
"I believe he has made up his mind that he wants to stay on the continent, especially when you look at some of the clubs showing an interest.
"It was always going to be difficult for West Ham to tempt him after they dropped into the Championship, and that will certainly be the case here if a big offer comes in from a European club.
"That's not to say there is absolutely no chance of a deal, stranger things have happened in football, but it looks to me like he would prefer to stay away from English football."
Which other clubs are interested in signing Parrott?
West Ham's ambitious pursuit of Parrott looks to have hit a stumbling block given the level of interest in the striker from big-name clubs across European football.
The Republic of Ireland international enjoyed an outstanding season for AZ in 2025-26, as he scored 31 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances across all competitons.
As a result, Football Insider exclusively revealed back in March that AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are among the clubs who have sent scouts to watch him.
The striker's performances in the Eredivisie and in the Conference League have set rival clubs on high alert, with a growing feeling he could be ready to make a step up.
He has also shone on the international stage for Ireland, where he scored vital goals in their efforts to qualify for the World Cup, despite eventually missing out.