£4.3m ace with ‘enormous quality’ agrees West Ham terms as he’s dropped from squad

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West Ham United still have over fortnight to formalise their preparations ahead of that Premier League opener against Sunderland on August 16th.

Other clubs, in competitions further afield, are not quite so fortunate.

While West Ham United’s summer is belatedly taking shape – El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters have arrived with ex-Newcastle striker Callum Wilson on his way to the London Stadium too – FC Lugano coach Mattia Croci-Torti must have wished he had as much time on his hands as Graham Potter.

Potter would be the first to admit that West Ham’s summer rebuild is far from complete.

Hammers News understands that a goalkeeper is the priority with Mads Hermansen wanted, while the capital city club also appear dangerously short in a number of other positions.

Fussball Transfers reported a week ago that FC Lugano defender Albian Hajdari had ‘reached a verbal agreement’ with the Hammers.

But with the £4.3 million release clause in his contract yet to be triggered, and with fellow left-footer Nayef Aguerd now expected to stay put, Hajdari’s future remains uncertain to say the least.

Albian Hajdari left out by FC Lugano as West Ham United reach verbal agreement

Only 22 years of age, FC Basel graduate Albian Hajdari returned to Switzerland in 2022 after a brief spell at Italian giants Juventus.

Sebastian Pelzer, Lugano’s sporting director, accepts that the West Ham-linked defender will ‘probably be sold’ sooner rather than later. Especially with such a low release clause, standing at just five million euros.

Hajdari was conspicuous by his absence from the Lugano squad, meanwhile, during the 2-1 home defeat by Thun in Sunday’s Swiss Super League opener.

Now, Croci-Torti did not confirm or deny reports of a likely switch to the London Stadium.

He did, though, admit that Lugano may be hard pressed replacing a defender whose ability to build from the back with piercing passes into midfield is not easily found on the market.

“Albian has always brought enormous quality to the build-up,” admits Croci-Torti. “In his absence, therefore, we will have to find equally effective solutions in terms of build-up play.

“If Hajdari leaves, these are things we will have to ask of the sporting director.”

Mattia Croci-Torti suggested West Ham transfer was ‘imminent’

A tall and elegant central defender who uses his 6ft 3ins frame to make well-timed sliding challenges or dramatic, acrobatic clearances, Hajdari is viewed as one of the rising stars of Swiss football.

The youngster appears to possess both the qualities in possession and the defensive instincts Graham Potter looks for in his central defenders too.

Hajdari was also left out by Croci-Torti for a recent friendly clash with Italian outfit Pro Vercelli.

“Things are very clear,” the manager said. “For Albian Hajdari, the club asked me not to play him, due to a transfer that is imminent.” 

A week-and-a-half on, it’s clear now that things were not quite as ‘imminent’ as the Lugano bosses thought.

The man Hajdari appeared set to replace, meanwhile, may now be remaining at Graham Potter’s disposal for the time being. Nayef Aguerd has been handed the number five shirt at West Ham with speculation regarding a move to Sunderland, Roma, Marseille or Juventus drifting away.

Hadjari would become the third left-sided central defender in Potter’s squad, if he were to join Aguerd and Max Kilman in the English capital.