West Ham United have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Colombian striker Luis Muriel asLa Liga club Sevilla have made a bid to secure his services, according to a report on Football London.
The 26-year-old striker, who plays for Italian Serie A club Sampdoria, was seen as a key transfer target this summer for Hammers’ boss Slaven Bilic. The London club were ready to splash £24m to trigger the forward’s release clause and bring him to the London Stadium.
However, Sevilla are also willing to trigger his release clause and if the striker had to choose between the two clubs it is understood that he would choose the Spanish club.
Reports in Italian paper Football Italia are suggesting that the forward is in Spain and is on the verge of completing his move to Sevilla. The Spanish club have offered £22m plus £6m in add ons to secure the striker’s transfer.
The Hammers’ have been monitoring Muriel since early this year and made him one of their top priority signings as Bilic looks to bolster his attack. Muriel found the back of the net 11 times in the Serie A last season which proved his eye for a goal but it seems that Sevilla have won the battle for his signature.
Bilic will now have to look elsewhere for a striker and is keen on Arsenal’s French forward Olivier Giroud.
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