Anass Salah-Eddine has turned down a season-long loan move to West Ham United, choosing instead to stay and fight for his place at AS Roma. West Ham had submitted a formal loan offer for the 24-year-old left-back, according to The Athletic, with the interest emerging after Brentford’s €40m purchase of defender Diouf left the Premier League club needing reinforcement at left-back. No agreement between the two clubs was ever confirmed, and talks remained at the offer stage.
Salah-Eddine rejected a season-long West Ham loan offer, opting instead to stay and fight for his place at Roma.
Reports from Eindhovens Dagblad, relayed by VoetbalPrimeur, indicate that Salah-Eddine’s camp communicated a clear decision to remain in Rome rather than accept the move to England. Dutch coverage described the player as wanting to “go for his chance” at Roma, signaling a preference to compete for minutes at Stadio Olimpico rather than seek another loan spell elsewhere. This is not the first time personal terms have shaped his path: a previous move to Olympiacos also stalled, reportedly due to the player’s own reservations, reinforcing a pattern of Salah-Eddine controlling where he plays next. Much like Sofyan Amrabat, who has long served as the engine of Morocco’s midfield, Salah-Eddine is emerging as a key figure whose club decisions carry weight for the national team’s future.
Roma signed the defender from FC Twente in early 2025 for around €8-8.5m. Under Gian Piero Gasperini, he had reportedly been placed among players available for transfer, and Roma also explored a permanent sale to PSV Eindhoven, where he spent last season on loan. Talks with PSV stalled, as Roma held out for a fee matching their valuation. His contract runs until 2028, giving the club time to revisit a sale or loan in future windows without financial pressure.
The loan spell at PSV was productive. Salah-Eddine made 25 appearances across all competitions, including 17 in Eredivisie play and seven in the Champions League, contributing at least one goal and one assist. That run showed he can perform at a high level in both domestic and European competition, which likely strengthens his belief that he can still earn a role in Rome. His performances have also made him an increasingly important figure for the Atlas Lions, as consistent club football continues to shape his standing with the Morocco national team.
Staying at Roma also keeps Salah-Eddine visible in Serie A and European football, a context that matters for his profile within the Moroccan national team setup, where consistent club minutes at a competitive level remain important heading into future international selection.
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