Hammers hunt striker and open up on Haller

West Ham are back on the hunt for a top line striker after discussions between Mario Husillos and Manuel Pellegrini’s failure to woo Maxi Gomez to the London Stadium.

However, the well publicised and supposed £35 million move for Sebastien Haller was described to us this morning as in “the very early  – almost preliminary. stages. “

And a senior source told ClaretandHugh: “We are annoyed it has reached the media via an Italian journalist. It doesn’t help.

“The situation is that unsurprisingly, as a fine striker, he is obviously among several we are chasing but talk of major bids is a little premature.

There have been additional rumours that the Maxi Gomez drama may not be at a conclusion and that there’s a 1 in 20 chance of the deal being recuscitated.

However, we understand that an official announcement by the La Liga club has only been delayed because the player is travelling back from Uruguay, where he has been on holiday, to Spain