Football great Lionel Messi has lavished high praise on West Ham United transfer target Luka Jovic.
The Daily Star claimed West Ham were seriously interested in reuniting record signing Sebastien Haller with his former Frankfurt teammate Jovic in January.
The duo forged a deadly partnership in their last two seasons together in Germany. Haller combined almost telepathically with Jovic as they scored 47 goals between them and almost lead Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory. That was to add to the 25 goals they notched in their first season together there.
While Haller moved to West Ham for £45million last summer, Jovic signed for Real Madrid in a £53million deal.
Haller has struggled playing in an unfamiliar lone striker role at West Ham.
West Ham wanted Jovic and might get another chance – reports
And Jovic’s big move has not worked out either.
The Serbian has made just five starts all season. Jovic was reportedly made available for loan in January but in the end West Ham did not push for a move and signed Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek instead.
Former Hammer Don Hutchison said West Ham should should have stumped up the loan fee to land Jovic in January.
But it looks like West Ham will have another chance to sign him in the next window.
It comes after the La Liga giants are said to have lost patience with Jovic following his breach of strict coronavirus rules on his return to Serbia from crisis-hit Spain recently (The Mirror).
Messi’s high praise for Hammers target
Jovic has just received the footballing equivalent of a Royal seal of approval from none other than Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
The 32-year-old Argentine forward’s picked the 15th best rising talents of European football as part of Topps’ football cards, which were designed by Messi himself (SportBible and OneFootball).
On reported West Ham target Jovic, Messi said: “A magical player who makes the impossible possible.”
Messi also praised Chelsea’s Mason Mount, the best friend of West Ham star Declan Rice.
No room for ‘Europe’s best’ Rice
But there was no room for Hammers midfielder Rice in Messi’s selection despite statistics showing Rice has been the best player in his position aged 21 and under in Europe’s top five leagues for the last two seasons – read full story.
On Mount, Messi said: “Having watched him play, he has the potential to be one of the best.”
Mount’s Chelsea teammate Christian Pulisic was also praised.
And Rice’s England teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho were also picked in Messi’s top 15.
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