Ajax are close to completing a deal to sign Sébastien Haller, who has failed to live up to expectations since joining West Ham for a record £45m in 2019. The striker has struggled to adapt to the pace of English football and wants to make the switch to the Dutch club.
Haller, who became the most expensive player in West Ham’s history when he moved from Eintracht Frankfurt 18 months ago, is having a medical with Ajax and is expected to agree personal terms before joining for £20m. The 26-year-old’s sale could provide David Moyes with funds to buy a new striker, with Bournemouth’s Joshua King a long-term target.
West Ham know it would be a risk not to strengthen in attack given their only other senior striker, Michail Antonio, has had problems with hamstring injuries. Although Mipo Odubeko has trained with the first team before Monday’s trip to Stockport County in the third round of the FA Cup, the 18-year-old striker has no experience at senior level.
Haller, who has scored 10 goals in 48 Premier League appearances, had a chance to shine when Antonio sustained a hamstring injury after scoring in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City in October. But the Ivory Coast international was disappointing after being handed an extended run, scoring twice in 11 games. Continue reading