A midfielder seemingly high on West Ham United’s summer wishlist has just secured himself a ‘dream’ transfer. Unfortunately, it was not the London Stadium he was pining for.
Long before West Ham held talks with Aston Villa for the now-Newcastle bound Jacob Ramsey, and some six weeks before Southampton rejected that £30 million Mateus Fernandes bid, attempts were made to lure one of the rising talents of European football to the capital.
Though West Ham United’s admiration for Ardon Jashari would not be reciprocated by the then-Club Brugge playmaker.
Now, this was to be expected, really.
Jashari rebuffed West Ham’s advances after the 2023 Conference League champions made an eleventh hour attempt to turn his head at the end of June, per The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor.
By that point, Milan’s new £34 million man had made his plans clear. Having shown last season that he belongs on the Champions League stage, Jashari only had eyes for ‘a top club in one of the major leagues’.
Ardon Jashari explains West Ham snub as he seals AC Milan transfer
Now, Milan may not be the same formidable force of old.
But, seven-time European champions and Scudetto winners as recently as 2022, even a Rossoneri side at rock bottom possess the kind of continental pedigree West Ham simply cannot match.
For the first time since belatedly completing a transfer which was weeks in the making, Jashari spoke to the press and explained exactly why all other approaches were tossed aside.
The confidence of Milan director Igli Tare – he said Ardon Jashari’s ‘will’ was to play at San Siro in that famous red and black shirt – was clearly not misplaced.
“My feelings about this club are incredible,” the former FC Luzern captain told Tuttomercatoweb during his official unveiling. “It’s a dream come true, not just for me but also for my family. I’ve only been here a short time, but I’ve received a great welcome from everyone.
“I’m settling in well. It’s an honour to be here.”
Jashari ‘only wanted Milan’ when deciding to leave Club Brugge
It was claimed as far back as May, via The West Ham Way, that talks had taken place between the Hammers and Club Brugge.
There was only one club the 23-year-old Switzerland international had in mind, however, when informed of Milan’s interest for the very first time.
“Everyone knows it was a long negotiation. But, from the first contact with Milan, it was clear that I wanted to come here,” adds Jashari, who will be hoping to make a bigger impression with the Rossoneri than another Club Brugge export in Charles de Ketelaere, now at Atalanta.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy because I was important to Club Brugge and they wouldn’t let me go easily.
“Patience was needed. Tare always told me he’d do everything he could to bring me here. Even though other clubs came, I only wanted Milan. Now we’re all happy.
“It was a great season with Club Brugge, and I wanted to finish it on a high note, without worrying about the rumours. As soon as it finished, my agent told me that AC Milan could be an option. While I was on vacation, he told me about AC Milan’s interest, and then I spoke to Tare about the project.
“Now, my dream has come true.”
With just over a fortnight left before the window closes, Mateus Fernandes is the new man sitting at the top of the club’s midfield wishlist.
Graham Potter saw the Southampton schemer in action during April’s 1-1 draw at the London Stadium. An impressive, typically all-action performance from a man who, to quote ex-Saints boss Russell Martin, would bring with him ‘intensity, desire, and fight to win’ as well as his ‘talent, guile, and creativity’.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
