Obiang was counting on staying in the Premier League
Talking to Italian website www.ilsecoloxix.it Obiang said: “I was counting on staying in the Premier for another couple of years. But then came this proposal from Sassuolo who strongly believed in me and their trust in me gratified me a lot”
Asked how close it was on returning to Sampdoria he added “I had also concretely demonstrated my will. I tried to move then nothing was done. Maybe I was too old for the team”
The former Hammer moved to Italy in 2018 for a £7 million fee with add-ons based on appearances. Obiang and his wife whose wife was expecting a child reportedly told West Ham they were desperate to move back to Italy despite him having three years left on his contract.
The 27-year-old midfielder spent four years in east London, joining the club in summer 2015 from fellow Serie A team Sampdoria. He played 116 times in claret and blue, scoring three times – including the club’s goal of the season in 2017/18 with an unstoppable 30-yard drive against Spurs at Wembley Stadium.