Forum | General Discussion

Despite appearing to have put all their eggs in one basket in their failed pursuit of Celta Vigo's Maxi Gomez, it is inconceivable that Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos do not have a plan (b), a plan (c) or even a plan (z) ! The most recent, and most intriguing name being linked with the Hammers recruitment team is Eintracht Frankfurt's Sebastian Haller, the 25 year old French striker just enjoyed a prolific season in the Bundesliga, scoring on average a goal every other game.

Sebastien Haller is not a cheap alternative, he will cost around £40 Million which Hammers can pay, albeit in instalments! Personal terms shouldn't be much of an issue, however the player will need convincing that a move to the London Stadium will be in his long term interest. Haller's 6'3" frame is ideally suited to the rigours of the Barclays Premier League, his acquisition would go a long way to compensating for the failure to sign Maxi Gomez, indeed many fans see Haller as a better option than Gomez.

Three years after rejecting the chance to sign Ben Yedder Hammers are rumoured to be interested to run the rule over the player again, in the summer of 2016, West Ham made Ben Yedder a target, but both David Sullivan and Slaven Bilic had doubts about his physicality. Given that he is just 5' 7" tall, Yedder was deemed too small, so Instead West Ham decided to sign Simone Zaza, who failed to score a single goal during his time in England.

Since moving from Toulouse to Sevilla, Yedder has excelled in Spain and has just completed an excellent campaign during which he scored 30 goals in all competitions for the La Liga club, taking his total tally to 70 goals in 138 games across three years for Sevilla. The France international is an undoubted goal threat despite his physical limitations, having scored 71 in 174 from Toulouse prior to his move to Spain. The other factor that puts this possible transfer on the back burner is that Yedder is 28 years old, not exactly in keeping with the club's 'buy young' remit.

West Ham United's most successful top flight finish was achieved using two 'light weights' up top, but then again they were Tony Cottee and Frank Mc Avennie, and also the game was played in entirely different circumstances back in the day. Given Pellegrini's propensity of using just one striker, a player of Haller's physical prowess will surely be his preferred option. - Ed

Having been on the receiving end of being financially out muscled on numerous occasions when it comes to player purchasing, the boot is on the other foot for West Ham United. Despite offering the full €50 Million of Maxi Gomez's release clause, albeit in instalments, and offering twice the wages, the 22 year old Uruguayan striker has chosen to remain in Spain and join Valencia in what is a cut price deal.

While the on off transfer may have infuriated many expectant Hammers fans, the fact that the player chose to honour the original contract he had been offered rather than getting twice the money by joining the Hammers is testimony to the player's honesty and sentiment. A mercenary he obviously isn't! It is a shame that a decent human being as well as an excellent footballer has chosen to not join up with Manuel Pellegrini but it is the mark of the man that Gomez's head couldn't be turned by the promise of riches.

Missing out on Gomez is just how things panned out, and because this transfer was unsuccessful it wasn't for the want of trying, possibly in the past the deal would have been a typical smoke and mirrors 'get the bums on seats' exercise, but there was genuine intent to get the deal over the line, however in this instance it didn't happen. It is a pity that players like Gomez are in the minority, as the majority seem to be like the great Sulkauvic that Hammers have had surgically removed, the Austrian wouldn't know what integrity was even if it ran him over! - Good luck to Gomez, good riddance to Arnautovic - Ed