West Ham are ready to pay €6m to secure the signing of Alen Halilovic this summer, according to Spanish source Sport.
Following Barcelona’s B side’s relegation from the Spanish Segunda division, many of their youth players are pushing for moves away from the Nou Camp in order to play at a higher level as first-team opportunities in La Liga are scarce.
Both West Ham and Everton have made offers to Barcelona for the young Croatian, including a buy-back clause for the La Liga champions, which is essential to any deal.
What this means is the deal is in essence a loan move, if Barca decide to exercise their buy-back option.
€6m is believed to be enough to sign the young attacking midfielder, and the buy-back clause would be a similar fee – much like the deal Everton struck earlier in the window to sign young winger Gerard Deulofeu.
The player has spent several weeks on deciding his future, and wants a move to the Premier League as the finances in play are appealing enough to meet his wage demands.
West Ham are believed to be the ‘first-choice’ option for Halilovic due to Slaven Bilic being in place at the club – he believes he can thrive under a fellow Croatian.
