Manuel Pellegrini may have wasted £45million on Sebastien Haller but he could yet help West Ham United sign a replacement.
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Pellegrini made Haller West Ham’s record signing in the summer of 2019.
But things just did not work out for Haller at West Ham. The Hammers took a £25m hit on the striker when they sold him to Ajax in January, just 18 months after signing him.
En-Nesyri on Moyes’s summer shortlist to replace Haller after failed January bid
And David Moyes has a shortlist of five strikers as he aims to sign a replacement this summer.
Among them is believed to be Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri after West Ham failed with a bid for the Moroccan in January (The Athletic).
Moyes reportedly remains keen on the 20-goal striker.
And it is easy to see why after his impressive performance and brace in the 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in midweek.
It was not enough to keep Sevilla in the Champions League as they lost 5-4 on aggregate.
Why Pellegrini could hold the key to West Ham landing striker
Joining a team playing in Europe is said to be key for En-Nesyri if he does move in the summer.
And that’s where Pellegrini comes in.
Sevilla are currently fourth in La Liga. But they have lost their last two games and Pellegrini’s Real Betis – and Real Sociedad – are breathing down their necks.
West Ham are fifth in the Premier League with a game in hand on the four sides above them. Many are tipping Moyes’s side as outsiders for the Champions League spots.
And the Hammers have realistic hopes of at least Europa League qualification.
Striker wants Europe and Sevilla may be forced to sell if they don’t make it
Sevilla play Pellegrini’s Betis on Sunday and a win for the Chilean’s side will put them just three points behind their hosts.
It would also dump Sevilla out of the top four if Sociedad win against Granada.
Should Sevilla be denied a place in Europe it could drastically improve West Ham’s chances of signing En-Nesyri.
The player wants European football for one. But Sevilla will also take a big hit financially if they don’t make Europe and may be forced to recoup money by selling a player.
West Ham fans will certainly want to keep an eye on the situation in Spain during the run-in.
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