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This article is part of Football FanCast's Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers...

Former West Ham United striker David Connolly is shocked the club did not move to sign Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer, per The Sun (2 August, Goals pull-out, page 12), via HITC.

What’s he said?

Football FanCast understands that the Hammers did have Mitrovic on their shortlist of possible signings at the beginning of the summer and actually explored whether or not the striker had a release clause in his contract.

However, no move came of it and he subsequently signed a new deal with the recently relegated Cottagers.

And Connolly, who played for the Hammers in the 2003/04 season, is stunned that his old side did not make a move.

He said: “The fact that Fulham have managed to keep Mitrovic is massive. He is a Premier League player in every regard.

“I can’t believe that no other club, such as West Ham, signed the striker.”

Forgetting about Haller

West Ham may have backed off a deal for Mitrovic but they promptly went and signed Sebastian Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for a club-record fee.

Sources have confirmed to Football FanCast that the deal comes to an initial £45m followed by a potential £5m in add-ons if certain performance-related bonuses are met.

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Haller, of course, scored 20 goals in all competitions last season in a Frankfurt team that also featured one of Real Madrid’s latest signings, Luka Jovic.

If it came down to a straight choice between securing one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga last season or a recently relegated Premier League striker, West Ham chose wisely.

Having Haller at the club will surely soften the blow for supporters, and Connolly, over their non-existent Mitrovic swoop.

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