[ad_pod ]

West Ham United began working on a deal to sign Sebastian Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt when they were still in negotiations with Celta Vigo over Maxi Gomez, sources have told Football FanCast.

The Bundesliga club confirmed on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with the Hammers for the transfer of the French striker and the Premier League outfit have now officially announced the deal.

Sources have confirmed that the deal will total an initial £45m with the potential to rise to £50m with add-ons and bonuses.

Of course, West Ham’s summer has been categorised by departures of forwards and failed pursuits of replacements.

Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez were both allowed to leave at the beginning of the transfer window prior to the sale of Marko Arnautovic to Shanghai SIPG.

A deal to sign Gomez was subsequently prioritised, as manager Manuel Pellegrini asked Director of Football Mario Husillos to secure the Uruguay international.

He was first targeted in January but there was a consistent fear that he wanted to stay in Spain.

That came to fruition this summer, as he instead sealed a move to Valencia.

One source has confirmed that, as West Ham “knew which way the wind was blowing”, they made their move for Haller.

Husillos did not give up on securing a deal for Gomez but negotiations began over Haller, their fall-back option, while talks were ongoing with the Spanish club.

Haller scored 20 goals in all competitions last season, while the Liga star netted just 13.

Watch West Ham United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

A deal to sign the Frenchman will break the club’s transfer record but is only slightly more expensive than what the club would have paid to secure Gomez’ signature.

The latter’s release clause was £45m, sources consistently said.

Nevertheless, a deal for Haller has excited many within the club, as they believe they have secured an excellent replacement for Arnautovic.

The Irons may still make a move for another striker, however, with Pellegrini calling on four forwards last season: Arnautovic, Hernandez, Carroll and Perez.