Haller dispute explained
Both sides of the dispute are citing commercial confidentially but a third party close to the original deal has told Claret and Hugh that the disagreement relates to the timing of the latest instalment payment.
West Ham is thought to have paid 50% upfront with the funds from the Marko Arnautovic sale totalling £22.5m going straight to the German club as a down payment. The remaining £22.5m is thought to have been structured over his five-year contract at around £4.5m per year.
That first payment was thought to be due in May with the Premier League season was originally due to end on 17th May, West Ham may have interpreted the end of the season to be the 26th July thus deferring the payment until July.
A FIFA spokesman confirmed that a complaint was raised by Frankfurt with regards to a missed payment date but that disagreement is now thought to be resolved between the two parties with a payment due to be paid in July. West Ham will not face any sanctions over the complaint and FIFA will close their investigation once Frankfurt is paid.
West Ham retains the registration of Seb Haller and the suggestion that his injury is a smokescreen and he has been forced to sit out because of this contractual dispute is wide of the mark and complete nonsense.
We could see Haller on the bench tomorrow if he passes a fitness test this evening.