Celtic Surges Ahead in Pursuit of Lazio’s Matteo Cancellieri as West Ham Hesitates

FolioPitch.com – 28 July 2026 | In a significant twist in the summer transfer window, Celtic have overtaken West Ham in the race for unsettled Lazio winger Matteo Cancellieri. The 24-year-old Italian, who spent last season back at Lazio after loan spells at Empoli and Parma, is reportedly seeking a move away from the Stadio Olimpico with his contract expiring next summer. The Scottish giants have accelerated their efforts to secure his signature, leaving West Ham to reconsider their priorities.

The Cancellieri Situation

Matteo Cancellieri, a product of Roma’s youth academy, made his Serie A breakthrough at Hellas Verona before earning a transfer to Lazio in 2022. However, his first season at Formello saw limited opportunities, leading to consecutive loan stints at Empoli and Parma. The winger returned to Lazio last term due to a transfer ban, starting the campaign brightly before an injury halted his momentum. Gustav Isaksen reclaimed the starting spot on the right wing, and Cancellieri finished with 4 goals and 2 assists in 30 Serie A appearances. With his contract running down, Lazio are open to selling the player this summer rather than losing him on a free transfer next year.

Celtic overtake West Ham in the race for unsettled Lazio winger Cancellieri, according to reports from ExWHUEmployee via Football League World. The Scottish champions, under veteran manager Martin O’Neill, are keen to bolster their attacking options and view the Roman winger as a perfect fit for their system. Celtic have been in contact with Lazio and are pushing to finalize a deal, hoping to lure the player to Glasgow before the window closes.

Why West Ham Are Stepping Back

West Ham United, meanwhile, have cooled their interest in Cancellieri despite the player’s availability. The Hammers, who were relegated to the Championship last season, are focusing on replacing Crysencio Summerville on the left wing after his move to Al-Hilal. With Jarrod Bowen established as the first-choice right winger and likely to stay despite relegation, Cancellieri—primarily a right-sided attacker—is not a priority. West Ham’s recruitment team believes that signing a left winger is more crucial to filling the void left by Summerville.

As a result, Celtic overtake West Ham in the race for unsettled Lazio winger Cancellieri, with the Scottish club now in pole position. The transfer fee is expected to be modest given Cancellieri’s expiring contract, making him an attractive proposition for Celtic, who are looking to strengthen their squad for both domestic and European competitions.

Lazio’s Contingency Plan

Lazio are prepared for Cancellieri’s departure. New manager Gennaro Gattuso has been testing Tijjani Noslin on the right wing during pre-season, and the Dutchman impressed in a friendly against Flaminia. With Isaksen also available, Lazio feel they have adequate cover and are unlikely to sign a direct replacement if Cancellieri leaves. The Italian club may instead reinvest any transfer fee into other areas of the squad.

Celtic overtake West Ham in the race for unsettled Lazio winger Cancellieri, and the player is reportedly open to a move to the Scottish Premiership. The promise of regular first-team football and the chance to compete in the Champions League qualifiers could sway the decision in Celtic’s favor. For West Ham, the focus remains on rebuilding after relegation, and Cancellieri’s profile does not align with their current needs.

Conclusion

As the transfer window enters its final weeks, all eyes are on Celtic to see if they can finalize a deal for Matteo Cancellieri. The winger’s pace, dribbling, and versatility would offer O’Neill’s side a fresh attacking dimension. Meanwhile, Lazio are content to move on without the Italian, trusting their existing options. For Cancellieri, a new chapter in Scotland could reignite a career that has stalled in Rome. With Celtic overtaking West Ham in this race, the move now hinges on negotiations between the clubs and the player’s willingness to embrace a new challenge north of the border.