West Ham are believed to be ‘very keen’ on signing Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde, according to a report from L’Equipe (print edition, January 6th, page 15).
The Hammers could view him as an immediate replacement for Sebastien Haller as the powerful Ivorian looks set to complete a move to Ajax in the coming days.
This isn’t the first time the 26-year-old Frenchman has been linked with the Irons, and with Haller’s seemingly imminent departure, that interest could now be heightened.
Laborde, who represented his nation at youth levels, has six goals this season in Ligue 1 and, as highlighted by Hammers News, is renowned for his work ethic – a quality which the outgoing Haller often hasn’t brought to the fore during his time in east London.
A report from France Football claimed that the former Bordeaux striker could be available for just £4.5m, a bargain for any player with a track record of playing top-flight football, even if his entire career to date has been in his native France.
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With a reported £22.57m windfall incoming from the Haller deal – albeit at a hefty loss from the fee paid for the Ivorian in 2019 – a deal in the region of £4.5m for Laborde would leave the West Ham board with plenty of leeway to do more business this month.
One thing is for sure – David Moyes needs greater strength in depth at centre-forward, irrespective of Haller’s immediate future.
