Sebastien Haller is set to leave West Ham United in a £20million move to Ajax.
Could Moyes make forgotten West Ham star his latest convert after new claims
That’s according to breaking reports from France overnight.
West Ham will reportedly take a £25million loss on their record signing who has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.
Haller on his way to Ajax for £20m claim reports from France
According to French outlet L’Equipe, the French-born Ivorian striker will make the surprise switch to the Dutch giants.
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.
The Ivorian has divided opinion at West Ham.
Move brings curtain down on frustrating 18 months for all involved
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.
Moyes has told Haller to smile more, do more and score more.
And his actions spoke even louder than his words when he dropped Haller to take a huge risk on a half fit Michail Antonio against Aston Villa.
West Ham somehow won that game but the risk backfired as Antonio suffered a new injury which has kept him out of the starting XI ever since.
Moyes was heard berating Haller on the touchline throughout West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea last month (Claret & Hugh).
Hammers take £25m hit but Moyes should now have funds to bring in his own striker
And after the game he signified it was the end of the road for the striker by decrying the absence of Antonio and insisting he would have to find an alternative option to Haller either within his squad or in the January window.
There is no debating the fact the move simply has not worked out for West Ham or Haller.
He has scored just 14 goals in 50 matches in all competitions for West Ham.
But his appearance in the win over Everton last time out looks set to be his last in a West Ham shirt if L’Equipe and GFFN are to be believed.
With £20m through the door West Ham boss Moyes should now be able to add another striker to his squad.
West Ham have been linked with a host of forwards including Josh King and Marko Arnautovic.
It will certainly spice up what was expected to be a relatively quiet transfer window for West Ham if the move goes through.
What Mark Noble and Declan Rice said about striker backs up insider’s claim
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