Reports emerged last night that West Ham United will sell Sebastien Haller to Ajax but there could be a twist.
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According to L’Equipe, the French-born Ivorian striker is set to seal a £20million switch to the Dutch giants.
Reports from France claim West Ham are set to sell Haller to Ajax for £25m loss
Haller has previously enjoyed success in Holland, scoring 41 goals in 82 games for Utrecht.
L’Equipe and Get French Football News both reported the breaking story on Wednesday night.
It would bring to an end a frustrating 18 months for all concerned. And it would see West Ham take a £25m hit on a player signed for a club record £45m just over 18 months ago.
But in true West Ham style, there could a twist.
Haller may well remain at West Ham until the summer.
Twist as Sky Sports claim Hammers could keep Haller until the summer
That’s according to new report from Sky Sports which says the clubs are yet to agree a fee and West Ham believe it will be easier to sign a replacement in the summer window rather than now.
“Ajax are trying to sign Sebastien Haller from West Ham,” Sky Sports reports.
“The Dutch champions have made a bid which is worth less than half the £45m West Ham paid Eintracht Frankfurt for the 26-year-old forward in the summer of 2019.
“No fee has been agreed with Ajax, and it is understood the Hammers may decide to keep him until the summer because it would be easier to sign a replacement then.”
The Ivorian has divided opinion at West Ham.
Moyes linked with a host of replacements
Some feel Haller does not work hard enough and lacks the pace, mobility, desire and workrate to be a success in the Premier League – particularly as a lone striker in West Ham’s setup.
Others feel he has been misused and mismanaged ever since he arrived at West Ham for £45m back in the summer of 2019.
Haller showed flashes of his talent – such as his stupendous overhead kick against Crystal Palace which won December’s goal of the month.
But the only man whose opinion truly matters, David Moyes, is not a fan.
The Scot has made that abundantly clear of late.
The Hammers have been linked with a host of strikers including Josh King, Marko Arnautovic and – with a recommendation from Tomas Soucek – Slavia Prague’s Abdullah Sima.
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