West Ham United could still reunite the deadly partnership of Sebastien Haller and Luka Jovic.
Read: Surprise boost for West Ham transfer plans as Moyes could now get prime target for just £10m – report
That’s after one of their main rivals for the Serbian’s signature, Napoli, ruled themselves out of the running.
According to a recent report from 90 Min, West Ham were once again keen to land Real Madrid flop Jovic this summer.
West Ham consistently linked with Jovic
West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh claim West Ham will focus on landing a striker to partner Sebastien Haller in this window.
David Moyes is said to be exploring the free agent and loan market with West Ham strapped for cash (Claret & Hugh).
The Daily Star claimed in January that West Ham were interested in reuniting Haller with Jovic.
Former Hammer Don Hutchison said his old club should have stumped up the loan fee to sign Jovic in January.
West Ham should have paid a loan fee 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/BevNN0q8es
— Don Hutchison (@donhutch4) February 4, 2020
Now Real Madrid are hawking Jovic out to interested parties as Zinedine Zidane prepares a summer clearout.
So the possibility of signing Jovic on a season-long loan – with an option to buy when West Ham’s financial situation has improved – is a tantalising prospect.
Hopes of reuniting the deadly Jovic-Haller partnership were threatened by Napoli, though, after AS revealed that Jovic’s agent was in talks with the Italian outfit.
Napoli were in box seat but president rules out move
But West Ham’s hopes of signing the 22-year-old have been boosted after Napoli’s president ruled out a move.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed he turned down the chance to sign Jovic and spent a club record £45million on Lille’s Victor Osimhen instead (Diario AS).
“We met with Ramadani (Jovic’s agent) and we could have reached a deal for him, or Zenit’s Sardar Azmoun,” he told an interview with Corriere dello Sport, reported via Diario AS.
“However, as the option for Osimhen became more concrete, we went for him.”
That means West Ham’s hopes of signing Jovic are still very much alive.
Loan with option could reunite deadly partnership with Haller
A loan with an option would be ideal for all parties.
And it could transform West Ham if they reunited Haller with Jovic.
The duo became one of the deadliest strike partnerships in Europe during their time together at Eintracht Frankfurt.
In 89 combined appearances in their last season together, Jovic and Haller racked up a very impressive 47 goals and 19 assists between them.
It earned Haller a record £45 million move to West Ham and Jovic a £62 million transfer to Real Madrid.
West Ham’s Frenchman and the 22-year-old Serbian clearly have a wonderful understanding of the way in which each other play.
And neither have found that same connection since being separated.