Striker Maxi Gomez might just be regretting snubbing West Ham United as his Valencia woe deepens with the club in chaos.
Read: West Ham target Klopp called a ‘machine’ officially departs Liverpool and is available on a free
West Ham coveted the Uruguayan forward from January to August to no avail.
The long-running transfer battle between West Ham and Valencia eventually fell in favour of the La Liga side.
After snubbing the Hammers, Gomez endured a nightmare start to his Valencia career.
He barely kicked a ball at the beginning of the season, had his price tag and ability questioned by the club’s fans and saw the manager who pushed the boat out to sign him sacked just weeks into the campaign.
Sackings, fallouts, resignations and a club in chaos
Los Che decided to sack Marcelino Garcia Toral after a fallout with club president Peter Lim.
West Ham fans were gutted by Gomez’s snub after a protracted chase by the Hammers. It looked like West Ham had done well initially when Gomez started slowly at Valencia.
But he recovered over time without setting the world alight. He took his goal tally to 10 in 37 games before lockdown.
Valencia were once again thrown into chaos after esteemed general manager Mateu Alemany – the man credited with making the Gomez deal happen – walked out of the club (Marca).
Marca reported that Alemany left the Mestalla due to irreversible differences with the club’s president Lim.
More turmoil for Gomez’s Valencia as owner wields axe again and daughter taunts fans
And Lim made it seven managers in six years when he sacked Albert Celades earlier this week.
Since the restart of La Liga this month, Valencia have won just one of six matches, losing four including the 2-0 defeat against Atletico Bilbao that has left them marooned in midtable – way below their aim of Champions League qualification.
West Ham’s season has not been a bed of roses either. The man they signed as second choice to Gomez, Sebastien Haller, has endured a tough debut campaign.
Haller has just seven goals in 29 appearances. West Ham have missed the French forward since the restart.
But the Hammers managed without him against Chelsea last time out, securing a crucial 3-2 win which changes the complexion of the relegation battle.
Meanwhile there was more woe over in Valencia as owner Lim’s daughter Kim taunted protesting fans.
Kim Lim caused a storm when she took to social media to tell fans her family ‘can do anything we want’ with the club amid growing criticism.
“Here again. Some Valencia CF fans are scolding and cursing at my family and I,” Kim posted on Instagram, in a post which was later deleted but was reported by Football Espana.
“Don’t they get it? The club is ours and we can do anything we want with it and no one can say anything.”
Kim Lim poniendo esto en su Instagram… En fin. pic.twitter.com/qQXbuwm09B
— LeChuck (@LeChuckVCF) July 2, 2020
West Ham should pounce if chance arises to land Gomez at reduced price
There were reports before the global health crisis that Lim may be tempted to recoup some of the outlay on their most expensive signing, Gomez before he sells the club.
So the Gomez West Ham story may not be over yet.
If there is a chance to get Gomez at a more reasonable price given the impact of the health crisis on the transfer market then West Ham should try and take it.
Whether owners David Sullivan and David Gold would front up the money remains to be seen.
But Claret & Hugh has claimed a striker to partner Haller is the main priority this summer.