Move over Maxi Gomez there is new striker at the centre of West Ham United’s latest transfer saga.
Gomez completed a move to Valencia over the weekend after West Ham’s unsuccessful pursuit.
Sebastien Haller is the new forward in West Ham’s sights now.
But like Gomez, claim and counter claim has fans fearing a similar outcome.
Haller the new star of West Ham’s latest striker saga
Speculation then intensified when Italian journalist Nicolo Schira said a deal had been sturck and Manuel Pellegrini wanted Haller to join up with the squad for the Asia Trophy in China this week.
Doubts over journalist’s China claim
Doubt was cast over the accuracy of Schira’s claim, though, when West Ham director of football Mario Husillos was pictured – for the first time – with the Hammers squad as they touched down in China.
The picture, posted on West Ham’s official website, showed Husillos (one in from the right) with the rest of the travelling squad.
And some supporters took this as a bad sign over their hopes of signing Haller.
But does it in fact mean the complete opposite?
Is it further proof backing up Schira’s claim? Husillos being in China may suggest the Hammers are extremely confident of agreeing a deal with Frankfurt.
Husillos China presence could be good news over Haller
If West Ham really want Haller to join their squad for the Asia Trophy then the deal would need to be completed in the next 48 hours.
So has transfer chief Husillos travelled to China in order to be there waiting for Haller in a bid to finalise the move.
Time will tell.
But time is also of the essence for Pellegrini.
The Chilean has just Javier Hernandez as a recognised senior striker after letting Andy Carroll, Lucas Perez and Marko Arnautovic leave this summer.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
