Director of football Husillos
Hammers director of football Mario Husillos’ decision to make the trip to China is causing a few questions to be asked as vital transfer negotiations continue over striker Sebastien Haller’s proposed switch to east London.
It’s hard to understand why he should have chosen to accompany Manuel Pellegrini and the squad at such a time or to accept an explanation from one insider that “the boss likes to have him around when games are being played.”
Speaking to Claret and Hugh on the phone our source said: “Talks are continuing and it’s helpful that Haller speaks very good English but the manager and Mario like to be together watching everything on the field of play at this stage of the season.”
He added: “Everybody keeps in touch by e mail and mobile phone so it doesn’t represent a major problem.”
However, that overlooks internet censorship in China which is a big issue and the time difference is also a problem with the UK seven hours ahead and Germany six.”
It may well be that we are now beyond issues over the player’s personal terms and that a fee and payment plan has to be arranged with Eintracht Frankfurt.
And should that be the case it would be more likely that co chairman David Sullivan will be doing the negotiating whilst Husillos is in China.
One thing is for sure, the Hammers are in intense discussions with Eintracht Frankfurt although our source admitted that a fallback position had been prepared should talks collapse.
He said: “We have around four strikers we are looking hard at although Haller is obviously the one at the top of our list.”
Wow – we really will make a story out of anything, won’t we? 🙂
With Facetime and Skype video calls (to name just two) meaning communications are simple, wherever you are (even in China where the ‘internet censorship’ is over the websites they can access, not the use of the Internet itself…).
It’s right that he, as Director of Football, should be with the squad, discussing fringe players with Pelle, assessing their performance and making strategic decisions with him about where else we might need to strengthen or sell.
I’m sure they know what they’re doing…
Come on – You are creating concern among fans (around the management team) when there is no justification whatsoever. This is not the 1990’s – it’s 2019! Time difference being a reason to not be able to sign a player? – that’s a mad accusation. We work in a global world where business people are regularly dealing globally and cross-continent. How many world-class players have somehow got around the time difference and signed for Chinese clubs – including our own? And internet censorship in China? Yes, there is for locals but every single person that travels and works there downloads a VPN, which enables them to access the internet as if they are sitting in their own office or lounge at home. As well as being life long West Ham fan I’ve worked globally for the United Nations. Shanghai is certainly far more advanced than London. Stop creating worry where there is none – there’s probably more than enough real reasons to create concern if you need to…
Fair play to you Chris. I reported it on the back of fans contacting and asking why. Thanks for your help
I hope he doesn’t quibble over nominal amounts. He’ll be in the fans good books if he gets this done asap. A real statement of intent. I read that Haller wants a release clause in his contract. In my view that isn’t an issue. It’s a matter of how much is that release clause? If the fee is £40m then it should be pushing £100m in my view. That is affordable for the richest teams but large enough for it not to be a punt.
If a team were to pay £100m in one or two seasons time then we earn a huge profit and have to go and replace him. But it suggests he must have done brilliantly to command that fee so everybody wins. Ultimately we must accept that we aren’t in the position to quibble on these points. If we want top ambitious players, we have to accept that they will want to move on if they do well enough. In the process West Ham become a great option for the world’s best young talents to develop, we make lots of money in the process and move up to a level where hopefully those young talents no longer feel they need to move on. We aren’t there yet, but that’s the direction we need to go in!
Bingo!
Looks like sullivan will finalise haller deal! !!! Happy days
These guys clearly know what they are doing and have consistently delivered. If their judgement is that they should be together in China I accept it. Thats what they are paid to do. Perhaps we should cut them some slack and leave things in their very capable hands? Just saying