Ajax switch
News of West Ham’s renewed attempts to secure additions to the club’s frontline should of course come as little surprise.
This comes with Sebastien Haller having completed a move away from the English capital earlier today.
Despite the Frenchman having only arrived at the London Stadium for a club-record fee with the potential to rise to £45 million in the summer of 2019, speculation over recent days began to mount that Haller was inching towards the West Ham exit door.
This came on the back of a surprise approach on the part of Dutch giants Ajax.
Based on the pace with which negotiations developed over the last couple of days, however, it appears obvious that David Moyes and co. were not at all opposed to seeing Haller bring an end to his brief stint with the Hammers.
In turn, an official announcement was forthcoming on Friday, confirming that the hitman has indeed moved on, linking up with Ajax for a £20 million fee:
Search completed: #CestSébastien 🚨 pic.twitter.com/UkW9DSCRgY
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 8, 2021
King amongst options
In turn, West Ham have not wasted any time in getting their search for a replacement for Haller underway.
In fact, the last 24 hours have seen a whole host of attackers tipped as potential January arrivals in East London.
The first will no doubt mark the most enticing when it comes to the hopes of the Irons’ faithful, in the form of Moussa Dembele.
As per a report from French outlet RMC Sport, the West Ham board have already made contact with their counterparts at Olympique Lyonnais, to make their interest in the services of the former Celtic star known:
Get French Football News can confirm RMC reporting that West Ham United have made contact to sign Lyon striker Moussa Dembélé.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) January 7, 2021
Next on the rumoured shortlist of the Hammers is Sparta Prague prodigy Adam Hlozek.
Hlozek, despite being just 18, has exploded onto the scene in his home country of the Czech Republic this season, with an impressive 4 goals and 6 assists in just 7 appearances.
In turn, as per 90Min, interest has begun to spread in the versatile starlet, with West Ham one such club keeping a close eye on developments.
Adam Hlozek is one of the best young forwards in the world and West Ham are taking a close look, and have already touched base via their excellent Czech Republic contacts…one to keep an eye on.
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) January 8, 2021
Last up when it comes to the pursuit of reinforcements to David Moyes’ attack are a pair of names touted by the Evening Standard.
The hitmen in question come in the form of Josh King, viewed by many as the most realistic winter Irons target, and Boulaye Dia of Stade de Reims.
The former of course has previous experience of the Premier League, having acted as a key cog in Eddie Howe’s overachieving Bournemouth side of years gone by.
Now, though, the Norwegian has just 6 months remaining on his contract at the Vitality Stadium, and could therefore be snapped up for a cut-price fee of around £15 million.
Dia, meanwhile, has impressed the masses in Ligue 1 this season, en route to a 10-goal haul.
The Senegalese international, who has also been linked with Manchester United of late, though, is nevertheless thought to boast a price-tag of just £14 million.
🔸Josh King
🔸Boulaye DiaWho will replace Sebastien Haller at West Ham? Moyes has green light to reinvest
✍️ @giuseppemuro https://t.co/D3cedGVA9J
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) January 8, 2021
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