West Ham United insider @ExWHUemployee has dropped a big transfer claim regarding Ivorian striker Sebastien Haller.
In the summer of 2019, the 26-year-old attacker was recruited from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt for a whopping £45m fee (per Transfermarkt).
Since then, he has made 53 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions, in which he has scored 14 goals and provided three assists for teammates.
Following the recent defeat to Chelsea, David Moyes told the Evening Standard that he may target signing a striker as he is “limited” for options when Michail Antonio is absent.
During Thursday’s episode of The West Ham Way Podcast, @ExWHUemployee claimed that the January transfer window could see Haller’s time at the London Stadium come to an end.
He said: “This is big news. I think there’s some severe interest in Sebastien Haller, believe it or not. There have been some German clubs that have been looking at him on loan.
“The club would rather sell him than loan him. So, those interests on loan weren’t particularly well-received, we tried to make it a permanent deal but there is also interest from other clubs.
“I believe there’s interest from a French club, who I think may be Monaco, but I’m not entirely sure, and I think there might be some Dutch clubs as well.
“Now, realistically, the only Dutch clubs that are going to make a move for him are the bigger ones, because they’re going to be able to afford him. So, I was told that Feyenoord and potentially Ajax could be in for him as well.
“The club are hoping to try and encourage one of those clubs to make a move. Now, it’s looking more likely that it’s going to be one of the Dutch teams.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens. Now, I’m not sure how close it is. The valuation that West Ham have put on him is between £25-30m.”
TIF Thoughts on what @ExWHUemployee said about Sebastien Haller…
As can be seen in what the club insider had to say, there is interest in the Ivorian forward and the Irons are keen to sell him rather than loan him out.
Since his comments this morning, it has emerged (via The Athletic) that Ajax have indeed agreed a fee for the striker, with personal terms still to be agreed.
Do you believe a club will be willing to pay £25-30m for Sebastien Haller?
No, there is no chance
Yes, anything is possible
Over 16 league appearances so far this season, the 26-year-old attacker has scored just three goals for the London Stadium outfit (per WhoScored).
So, with the Irons having forked out £45m for him, perhaps it is no surprise that they want to try and claw some of that money back due to his poor goalscoring record.