West Ham will not be signing Fiorentina centre half Alessandro
Pierini, says MD Paul Aldridge.
"Press speculation about him signing was premature," he explains.
"Although the financial aspects were agreed with both the player and his club, there were a number of points that could not be resolved, and talks have now ended.
"It is a disappointment to ourselves and Alessandro that the deal will not be going ahead but we wish him all the best for the future."
The 28 year old centre half, who has one Italian cap but is a regular in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad, was prepared to risk his international career to join West Ham despite interest from Lazio and AC Milan in his home country.
There was also strong interest from another Premiership club, who enquired about his price.
He knew that moving to England could make it harder to become a regular in the Italian team but, having talked to the Hammers, felt he wanted to take up the challenge of coming to Upton Park.
The former Udinese centre half believed he was just coming to his peak as a player, and wanted to test himself against different opposition.
He was in London at the weekend for a number of tests and was hopeful of making his debut against Utrecht in a friendly on Saturday.
His tactical acumen, speed, and aerial skills were just what Glenn Roeder was looking for, but now he will have to turn his attentions elsewhere.
With the loss of Hayden Foxe for two to four weeks, the need to bring in a stopper has become even more pressing for the Hammers boss.
"Press speculation about him signing was premature," he explains.
"Although the financial aspects were agreed with both the player and his club, there were a number of points that could not be resolved, and talks have now ended.
"It is a disappointment to ourselves and Alessandro that the deal will not be going ahead but we wish him all the best for the future."
The 28 year old centre half, who has one Italian cap but is a regular in Giovanni Trapattoni's squad, was prepared to risk his international career to join West Ham despite interest from Lazio and AC Milan in his home country.
There was also strong interest from another Premiership club, who enquired about his price.
He knew that moving to England could make it harder to become a regular in the Italian team but, having talked to the Hammers, felt he wanted to take up the challenge of coming to Upton Park.
The former Udinese centre half believed he was just coming to his peak as a player, and wanted to test himself against different opposition.
He was in London at the weekend for a number of tests and was hopeful of making his debut against Utrecht in a friendly on Saturday.
His tactical acumen, speed, and aerial skills were just what Glenn Roeder was looking for, but now he will have to turn his attentions elsewhere.
With the loss of Hayden Foxe for two to four weeks, the need to bring in a stopper has become even more pressing for the Hammers boss.