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One Hall Of A Deal! A Proper Striker

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 16/07/2019 - 10:44

At the beginning of last season, the Hammers hierarchy knew they had pushed the boat out, laying out close to £100 Million in players acquisitions, but more importantly they engaged a 'proper' title winning manager in the form of Manuel Pellegrini. Despite a woeful start and a dreadful injury list, Pellegrini's team eventually found their feet by playing open exciting football, dare we say 'the West Ham way'. Had it not been for an obdurate Austrian and his complicit brother, the club could have finished seventh in the Barclays Premier League, thereby qualifying for the Europa League, alas it was not to be!

Having acquired a 'proper' manager and virtually rebuilt the team, the club were looking forward to the new season, but then Arnautovic and his brother stuck their elbows out by insisting on kicking up such a fuss that the club were willing to take a massive financial hit just to get rid of the toxicity surrounding the 'Arnie' clan. Arnautovic was never a 'proper' striker, he was 'converted' by David Moyes from being a winger, but eventually turned in to a whinger!

The reason Arnautovic did so well initially was that there was little if any competition to stop him being the main man, Javier Hernandez spent much of the season running around with a scowl on his face despite earning in excess of £140,000 per week, and when he was needed he managed to get a virus that put him out for nearly two months. Jordan Hugill looked like a rabbit staring at head lights, Lucas Perez did something to upset Pellegrini and Andy Carroll surpassed his previous injury stats by only playing three games.

The latter two have since departed, Hammers wasted no time in their pursuit of replacement 'hit men', the Maxi Gomez saga, played out far too much in the media, may have been a ruse and always seemed a bit dodgy, however the player who may have been the main target is on his way to London to have a medical. Eintrecht Frankfurt's Sebastian Haller is a 'proper' striker, the 25 year old Frenchman stands 6'3" tall and 'ripped up' the Bundesliga last season scoring and assisting at will.

It is a 'hall' of a deal that will bring the vastly effective hit man to the London Stadium, the 'undisclosed' total is unclear, however personal terms of £100,000 per week have been agreed over a five year deal. The fee Eintrecht are asking is €45 Million, which added to wages and bonuses equates to an overall commitment from the club in the region of just under an eye watering £100 Million! Or to put that figure in perspective, virtually the same amount as Andy Carroll cost the club once you factor in inflation.

Haller is like a more mobile, but more importantly much fitter, version of Andy Carroll, he can lead the line or bring other players in to the game. He is equally adept with his feet as he is in the air and would represent Hammers first 'proper' striker since as far back as Dean Ashton. At 25 years of age Haller is a good investment, even after three years he will be at his peak and therefore still be very valuable. There is a little bit of a problem with regards to a sell on clause that Eintrecht wanted inserted in the deal, but from what our sources have told us the issue is not insurmountable and was just the German club trying to be a 'little greedy' by all accounts.

We will have all the nitty gritty details later, but make no mistake, this is properly good news for West Ham fans, a proper manager, a proper striker and heaven forbid proper owners? - Ed

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mcbikeman's picture

we've missed out on Assombalonga for this geezer

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53 users have voted.

We should of gone for assombolonga he was a beast at the shrimpers

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49 users have voted.
mcbikeman's picture

Apparently there are rumours of release clauses put in place if champions league team come in for him...Fine no problem with that just also insert a clause which says not to be sold to the spuds under any condition!

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64 users have voted.
moore 6 legend's picture

Let's hope we ain't a stepping stone for manure if he turns out any good and they get top 4 this season,did hear rumours that he was a likely replacement for lukaku the other day.

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60 users have voted.
mcbikeman's picture

No clause in contract about champions league clubs apparently gold knocked that on the head...so he's ours all hail HALLER

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56 users have voted.

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