Celtic and West Ham are expected to be dealt a blow in their January transfer ambitions as one of their main targets appeared to rule out a move despite a spectacular climb to popularity in recent weeks.
Nuno Espirito Santo, the next West Ham manager, is looking to recruit a striker in January, with Nicklas Fullkrug expected to be sold, and prospective incoming Celtic manager Wilfired Nancy has already been linked with targets to get his stint started.
Both clubs are said to be interested in signing Troy Parrott following the AZ striker’s fairytale performances for the Republic of Ireland during the international break, which included five goals in two games, with Everton and Leeds also said to be keeping an eye on the situation.
Despite his enhanced prominence over the last month, Parrott said he remained dedicated to AZ and would not consider quitting the club mid-season.
“I feel like I’m making great progress, and I truly like coming here and playing. “Yeah, I am completely focused on being here,” Parrott stated this week.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m here and I’m focused on the goals and the goals that we have as a team for this season”
Tottenham set to benefit from the sale of “next” Ireland’s Harry Kane scored twice in a 2-0 win against Portugal, and then scored a hat-trick against Hungary, including a last-minute winner, to increase their chances of qualifying for the World Cup next summer.
The 23-year-old has been prolific for AZ since his €4 million transfer from Tottenham in 2024, scoring 21 goals in 36 Eredivisie games and four in the Europa League last season.
Tottenham are not understood to have a buy-back clause for a player who came through their academy and was once called the ‘next Harry Kane’, but they do have a sell-on clause.
AZ would most certainly want a fee greater than Parrott’s €18.3 million Estimated Transfer Value (ETV), with some speculating that a record sale closer to €25 million would be required for them to consider his transfer in the middle of the season.
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