A Stuttgart chief has spoken out on the future of Serhou Guirassy as West Ham battle Man United for January deal.
West Ham and Manchester United are locking horns to try and sign one of the most in-form players in Europe, Serhou Guirassy.
West Ham’s new technical director Tim Steidten was widely regarded to have overseen one of the best windows in the Premier League.
But Man United succeeded were West Ham failed and that was in signing a striker – Rasmus Hojlund.
The Hammers are looking to address that issue next month by – according to a host of persistent reports – signing 17-goal Stuttgart striker Guirassy.
Stuttgart chief speaks out on Guirassy future
But, as we reported last week, the Red Devils want to try and hijack the move by signing the Guinea international themselves next month.
There was encouragement for both West Ham and Manchester United yesterday.
Because German journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed Guirassy has ruled out a move to Dortmund.
But his reasons suggest he may be more inclined to join the Hammers over Man United as the 27-year-old late bloomer wants the guarantee of being the number one striker.
Now a Stuttgart chief has spoken out on future of Guirassy as West Ham battle Man United for a deal.
West Ham battle Man United for deal
Speaking to Sky Germany Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth has admitted to some difficult arguments with Guirassy over his future.
That comes after the player refused to allow Stuttgart to buy out his contract – which contains a bargain £17m release clause – so that they could fetch a higher price for Europe’s second highest goalscorer.
When asked about interest from the likes of West Ham and Man United, Wohlgemuth said he hopes Guirassy is convinced to stay for the rest of the season by the love of the fans.
“It is the case that he had arguments for himself and we had arguments for ourselves, in a situation that was far more difficult than today to extend the contract,” the sporting director said.
Stuttgart powerless given player’s clause
“Today, the arguments that speak for us actually weigh even more heavily. He feels how the fans love him. He feels how the team needs him. And he also feels how everyone wishes that he stays here with us.
“He’s a highly decent guy and that doesn’t leave him cold. So, we do everything that is in our hands and it will certainly not fail for us.”
Guirassy may well be a decent guy.
But if West Ham and Man United activate his release clause in January then they will have the chance to get him around a table.
And both would likely offer to double or treble his current salary – as well as the chance to play in the best league in the world.
So the love of the fans may not have quite as much pull as Wohlgemuth hopes.
West Ham have plenty in their favour over Man United.
The lure of London, Guirassy being guaranteed more game time and European football for starters.
Then there is the Steidten factor in negotiations as well as the fact lines of communication are already open between the Hammers and Stuttgart after the deal which took Konstantinos Mavropanos to east London for £17m in the summer.
READ ALSO
‘It’ll get better’ Every word Moyes said as West Ham march into the last 16.
West Ham player ratings vs Freiburg: Star boy shines as Moyes finds the answer.
Path clearing as Plettenberg delivers big update on West Ham striker move.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
