West Ham finally pay off Haller debts

One of the most significant issues with West Ham this transfer window has been the debt owed to Eintracht Frankfurt for Sebastien Haller.

West Ham can finally start looking to spend money on new players now this debt is no longer hanging over their heads. The Hammers have owed an installation of Sebastien Haller‘s scheduled payments to Frankfurt. But now that payment has been made, and the club can move on.

The news broke on the Telegraph after terms of the deal and payment had been agreed according to FIFA. The payment will no doubt take a chunk of money out of the club’s transfer budget for the rest of the transfer window.

"“In relation to this matter, we can confirm that a decision was rendered on 25 August 2020 by Fifa’s Players’ Status Committee, notified to the parties on 1 September 2020,” said a Fifa spokesperson. “However, as the case is not yet final and binding, we are not in a position to comment further.”"

Sebastien Haller became West Ham United’s record signing last summer. The 26-year-old cost the Hammers a mouth-watering £45 million, some of which was paid for upfront to the German side. Haller did not live up to his price tag in his debut season.

The striker only managed seven goals and two assists in thirty-four appearances in all competitions. The season was very underwhelming for Haller who saw his output drop massively from his impressive previous season at Frankfurt.

This drop-in output saw Haller forced to the bench by manager David Moyes who was unable to get the best out of the striker. Moyes instead showed his faith in Michail Antonio, and the utility attacker scored eight goals in six games after the restart.

This form shown by Antonio is arguably the reason West Ham remained in the division and why he was awarded the Premier League player of the month award. Antonio was able to do what Haller was not, and that is to become a regular goalscorer.

Now the payment has been made the Hammers can focus on strengthening the side before the transfer window closes. The club is currently bidding for Burnley defender James Tarkowski and are interested in Inter Milan’s Dalbert Henrique and Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu.