​West Ham are eyeing a move for Connor Barron from Rangers during this summer window, according to Hayters.com. Bologna, the Italian club, have also expressed interest in the 23-year-old midfielder and have opened talks with Rangers about a potential transfer. Rangers, for their part, are reluctant to part with Barron, who contributed 37 appearances in all competitions last season.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to bolster his midfield options following Mateus Fernandes’ move to Tottenham, a transfer reported to be worth around £85 million. Barron has emerged as a target for the club as they seek to strengthen central areas ahead of the new campaign.
This summer, West Ham appointed former Rangers technical director Nils Koppen as their new director of player recruitment. The club say Koppen has been charged with identifying and recruiting players who can help secure an immediate return to the Premier League, underscoring the ambition to reshape the squad quickly after relegation concerns last season. Koppen previously worked with Rangers when Barron joined from Aberdeen, helping to facilitate that transfer.
Keiber Lamadrid’s permanent signing represents West Ham’s solitary completed deal of the current window, following a season-long loan at the London Stadium. The club is expected to make further additions and departures in the coming weeks as they look to balance the squad for both league and European commitments. Among the players attracting interest ahead of the new campaign are Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, with Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring both wingers.
In attack, West Ham are also exploring alternatives to strengthen Espirito Santo’s frontline, with Everton’s Dwight McNeil emerging as a potential target. Securing a dynamic wide option could provide the heightening of attacking options that the manager is seeking as he plans to compete more effectively at the top end of the table. As the transfer window progresses, the focus for West Ham remains clear: reinforce midfield creativity and depth while ensuring strategic exits do not weaken the squad’s balance.
For Rangers, Barron’s future remains in the balance as interest from West Ham and Bologna intensifies. The Scottish club’s stance, however, has been to retain the 23-year-old midfielder who demonstrated his value with a solid 37 appearances across all competitions last season. Any decision on Barron’s future will hinge on Rangers’ assessment of his development, squad plans, and the readiness of potential successors who can fill a similar role in the midfield. This evolving situation continues to attract attention from multiple sides, highlighting Barron as a pivotal name in this summer’s transfer narrative.