There has been a new twist in West Ham United’s pursuit of Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.
Haller was bad but West Ham’s first choice Gomez has not fared much better
Hammers boss David Moyes identified Dembele as Sebastien Haller’s replacement back in November (The Sun).
And no sooner had West Ham announced the £20million sale of the flop striker to Ajax than reports emerged stating Dembele was Moyes’s prime target (RMC Sport).
West Ham set sights on Dembele after Haller sale
West Ham’s preferred modus operandi when it comes to signings under David Sullivan and David Gold – particularly in the current climate – is on loan with an option to buy.
So when news emerged from France overnight that Lyon were open to such a deal, it would have been music to West Ham’s ears.
But there was bad news for Moyes in the form of a somewhat unexpected plot twist.
Atletico Madrid are closing in on signing Dembele on loan with the option to buy at the end of the season.
New twist with Atletico set to beat Hammers to Lyon forward in type of deal favoured by Sullivan and Gold
Get French Football News and L’Équipe acknowledged West Ham remain interested. But the reports claim Atletico have made a formal approach.
“Spanish giants Atletico Madrid on Thursday submitted a formal loan with option to buy offer for French youth international striker Moussa Dembele, according to L’Équipe, who has fallen out of the starting XI with Lyon this season as Les Gones push for the Ligue 1 title,” Get French Football News states.
“As we reported yesterday, Moussa Dembele has also received an approach from Premier League side West Ham United, but the player is not interested in the Hammers.”
The crushing blow was also backed up by reliable West Ham insider ExWHUemployee.
Hammers insider concedes Dembele signing ‘very unlikely’
Speaking on his Patreon site, Ex admitted West Ham’s interest in Dembele looks doomed to failure.
“We can confirm that whilst Moussa Dembele was a target in the past and has been watched by the club, his move to West Ham is very unlikely,” ExWHUemployee said.
“This is down to various factors including cost, the player not being that keen and he is currently out with a broken arm.”
Moyes appears to have quickly switched his attentions elsewhere, though.
The Scot was linked with no fewer than nine other targets as the West Ham rumour mill goes into overdrive following the sale of Haller.
West Ham transfer round-up: Frenzy as Hammers are linked with Nketiah and eight others
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