West Ham United are one striker down following the expiry of Callum Wilson’s contract. And agreeing a deal for one of the Englishman’s potential replacements – Pape Moussa Fall – will not be straightforward.
As June turned to July, the West Ham contracts of Wilson, Adama Traore and Lukasz Fabianski expired.
This, coupled with the news that Tottenham are set to sign Mateus Fernandes for an eye-watering £85 million, gives the Hammers both the motive and the means to step up a revamp of their playing staff.
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Metz prospect Pape Moussa Fall has been linked via a deal around the £5 million mark.
But, after TEAMtalk reported that West Ham United were ‘leading the chase’ alongside London neighbours Crystal Palace, Metz are hitting back.
Metz say they will not let West Ham United sign Pape Moussa Fall
Despite finishing rock bottom in France’s top tier last season, a source at Les Grenats tells French publication Info that there are no plans to cash in on Fall.
“Pape Moussa Fall will be an important player for FC Metz,” the source said of a striker currently under contract until the summer of 2029.
“We won’t sell off a player who still has significant room for improvement.”
An absolute giant of a man at 6ft 8ins, Fall enjoyed a successful loan spell in Belgian football last season. The beanpole targetman scored 14 goals in 30 games for RAAL La Louviere. As you might expect, a fair chunk of those 14 goals were scored with his head.
Five, to be precise.
The records also suggest that Fall would be the tallest player ever to represent West Ham. Currently, that honour belongs to Ian Feuer; the 6ft 7ins former USA international goalkeeper who turned out three times in 2000.
Fall, to put it in context, is a whole four inches taller than Tomas Soucek.
Hammers are looking at Fall’s Metz teammate Alpha Toure
According to that report from TEAMtalk, there is also interest from Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion in Fall. And while Metz are insistent that he will not be sold – like West Ham, Les Grenats are determined to secure an immediate return to the top-flight – that stance would surely soften in the face of hefty bids from across the Channel.
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Interestingly, Hammers News can confirm that West Ham have been alerted to Alpha Toure; a teammate and compatriot of Senegalese starlet Fall at the Stade Saint-Symphorien. The recently-departed head of recruitment Max Hahn recommended Toure to West Ham.
A stylish, versatile and press-resistant midfielder, Toure is under consideration as Spurs close in on Fernandes. Unlike with Pape Moussa Fall, though, Metz are yet to confirm their stance with the part-time left-back.
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