While all the focus has been on West Ham United’s alleged interest in Lucas Stassin, until now the finances involved in a potential deal for the Premier League-linked St Etienne striker have been shrouded in mystery.
And though Hammers News have been informed by a West Ham United source that talks with St Etienne over the Belgian are yet to begin – contrary to suggestions across the Channel in France – this could change once Graham Potter has some funds to play with.
West Ham have made a new centre-forward a top priority this summer.
And after running into a series of dead-ends recently – Emanuel Emegha is expected to join Chelsea instead, Galatasaray will not sell Baris Alper Yilmaz, Brazil international Igor Jesus is heading to Nottingham Forest, and Yuri Alberto plans to stay at Corinthians – the Lucas Stassin option emerged over the last few days.
For the first time, meanwhile, some long-awaited light has been shed on St Etienne’s demands.
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by SYLVAIN THOMAS/AFP via Getty Images
St Etienne reduce Lucas Stassin price-tag amid West Ham United interest
In addition to West Ham, Stassin has been linked with Rennes, Marseille, Lille, RB Leipzig and Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
With Sporting Lisbon expected to lose Viktor Gyokeres – Manchester United now appear in pole position as Ruben Amorim looks to reunite with the prolific Swede – the newly-crowned Portuguese champions appear to have thrown their hat into the ring as well.
And it has emerged via Iberian publication Mais Futebol that, thanks to St Etienne’s relegation from France’s top flight, Stassin’s value has fallen considerably.
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Les Verts were initially holding out for £25 million. There is an acceptance now, however, that St Etienne will have to consider offers in the region of £18 million instead.
Interestingly, Mais Futebol report that one English-based club are in discussions already, and it’s not West Ham. Wolves have £62.5 million in the bank following Matheus Cunha’s Old Trafford exit.
If reports are true and the Hammers do have to let players go before they can bring new ones in, Graham Potter, Kyle Macauley and co may be hoping that Wolves do not manage to reach an agreement before there is time to respond.
Stassin likens himself to Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda
Stassin, his price-tag falling by around £7 million, should come cheaper than the likes of Emegha and Alper Yilmaz provided a bidding war does not elevate his value.
The West Ham fans appear to like what they see from the Belgium Under-21 international, meanwhile. Stassin describes himself as a mix of Romelu Lukaku and Lois Openda, while the underlying statistics mean the St Etienne talisman threatens to join Lamine Yamal and Desire Doue as one of the most exciting young attackers in European football.
🇪🇺📈⭐️ | 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐗𝐈 𝐔𝟐𝟏 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍
🇧🇪 Mike Penders
🇭🇺 Milos Kerkez
🇪🇸 Dean Huijsen
🇪🇸 Pau Cubarsí
🇳🇱 Givairo Read
🇧🇷 Andrey Santos
🇵🇹 João Neves
🇪🇸 Lamine Yamal
🇫🇷 Rayan Cherki
🇫🇷 Désiré Doué
🇧🇪 Lucas Stassin pic.twitter.com/BQLjeGqygK
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“Lucas Stassin is a mix between a number nine and a number ten. He’s a hybrid. He combines qualities,” explains St Etienne coach Eirik Horneland.
“He’s not a centre-forward who can physically put pressure on two central defenders, but he’s a player who works hard and develops good chemistry with [his teammates].
“France has very good defenders who often sign for the Premier League. For strikers, it’s not a piece of cake to play in France [but] Lucas has developed a connection and found his niche. He comes off the frontline, drops deep, and plays in different positions up front.”