Fabrizio Romano has given the strongest indication yet that West Ham’s buy-to-sell policy may have cost the club key transfer targets.
Speaking on his social media accounts, the transfer expert revealed:
“There was a call from a Premier League club regarding Ardon Jashari. I can tell you that the club is West Ham. The English club was ready to make a proposal to both Bruges and Jashari’s agents, but the player thanked and declined. Head only to Milan.”
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I have little doubt-if it even happens-the potential arrival of Douglas Luiz softens the blow, there’s no doubt that Jashari was a top target for Graham Potter.
As reported by Claret & Hugh last month, West Ham’s recruitment lead Kyle Macaulay had been meeting with agents to declare the club’s interest in a number of midfielders—Jashari included. However, a lack of available funds meant West Ham were unable to make any formal approach at the time.
Only after the sale of Mohammed Kudus to Spurs were the Hammers able to re-engage and inform Jashari’s camp that the money was now in place to proceed.
Unfortunately, according to Romano, it was too little, too late. Jashari had already made up his mind—and West Ham’s hesitation appears to have cost them dearly.
Once again, the club’s slow movement in the transfer market has left us empty-handed, and Graham Potter without one of his priority midfield additions.