The power of the Premier League may have turned bottom-half clubs like West Ham United into an alluring destination, but this was a battle Graham Potter’s side never looked likely to win.
While Raphael Onyedika is keen on a move to West Ham – his representatives cannot foresee any real issue when discussing personal terms – it appears that another of the Belgian Pro League’s greatest talents does not share the same enthusiasm for a new challenge at the London Stadium.
Hammers News understands that Nigeria enforcer Onyedika is West Ham’s number one target in the centre of the park.
This is not to say that West Ham United did not want Ardon Jashari too; Onyedika’s Club Brugge teammate and one of the most exciting young playmakers in Europe.
Switzerland schemer Jashari has his heart set on joining an elite European club instead. He was linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and [briefly] Man United.
West Ham attempted to snatch Jashari from AC Milan’s clutches recently but this always felt like an uphill battle.
Especially with Igli Tare, the Rossoneri’s sporting director, now confirming one of the worst-kept secrets of the summer window.
Club Brugge midfielder Ardon Jashari wins Belgium Pro League Player of the Year award
Photo by JASPER JACOBS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
Igli Tare confirms West Ham United target Ardon Jashari wants AC Milan
Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Tare has confirmed that not only are Milan prioritising a deal for Jashari, but Jashari is also prioritising a move to the San Siro.
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“We want him to come to Milan, and he wants to come,” says the former Lazio chief. “But there are dynamics that must be respected. We think we have made an important offer, also for Belgian football in general. We hope that the matter will be resolved positively.”
Jashari, a string-pulling, tempo-setting number six who loves to control proceedings through his line-breaking passing, is expected to end up at the San Siro for a fee in the region of £35 million.
“It’s a situation you already know about and we care about, the fact that he could come to Milan,” Tare adds. “This is his will, to play for this team.”
Former Arsenal starlet Yunus Musah could return to England with West Ham
Ironically, West Ham’s failed pursuit of the former FC Luzern captain could result in Yunus Musah leaving the seven-time European Champions and returning to London.
An America international who represented England and Arsenal at youth level, Musah’s entourage contacted West Ham recently to make them aware of his availability. Igli Tare has already confirmed that Musah is free to leave AC Milan this summer, too, the returning Massimiliano Allegri looking for a midfielder with different ‘characteristics’.
“I consider Musah to be an excellent player but we are looking for profiles with characteristics that are useful for the project we have together with Mr Allegri,” Tare said.
“Musah does not have these characteristics. This is the real reason why we want to do something different.
“We are also evaluating signing another player in midfield together with a striker. In the event of a transfer, we will also intervene on the wings and in central defence. We must be focused on doing the best possible for the team and to be protagonists [in the Serie A title race].”