---
title: "West Ham ‘very keen’ on Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/west-ham-keen-on-signing-gaetan-laborde-montpellier/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-01-07T18:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-07T18:00:00Z"
---

# West Ham ‘very keen’ on Montpellier striker Gaetan Laborde

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/fans-share-love-for-robert-snodgrass-farewell-tweet/) are believed to be ‘very keen’ on signing Montpellier striker [Gaetan Laborde](https://readwestham.com/2020/12/07/readwestham-com-2020-12-07-west-ham-lead-race-gaetan-laborde-montpellier/), according to a report from [L’Equipe (print edition, January 6th, page 15)](https://www.pressreader.com/france/l-equipe/20210106).

The Hammers could view him as an immediate replacement for [Sebastien Haller](https://readwestham.com/2021/01/07/ajax-in-talks-with-west-ham-over-sebastien-haller-deal/)as the powerful Ivorian looks [set to complete a move to Ajax](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12181138/ajax-trying-to-sign-sebastien-haller-from-west-ham) in the coming days.

This isn’t the first time the 26-year-old Frenchman has been [linked with the Irons](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Transferts-gaetan-laborde-pourrait-quitter-montpellier-cet-hiver/1201958), and with Haller’s seemingly imminent departure, that interest could now be heightened.

Laborde, who [represented his nation](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gaetan-laborde/nationalmannschaft/spieler/181378/verein_id/23658) at youth levels, has [six goals this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gaetan-laborde/leistungsdaten/spieler/181378) in Ligue 1 and, as highlighted by [Hammers News](https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/report-claims-west-ham-are-very-interested-in-signing-gaetan-laborde/), is renowned for his work ethic – a quality which the [outgoing Haller often hasn’t brought](https://theathletic.co.uk/2172366/2020/11/01/westham-liverpool-sebastien-haller/) to the fore during his time in east London.

A report from [France Football](https://www.pressreader.com/france/france-football/20200922) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gaetan-laborde/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/181378), even if his [entire career to date](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/gaetan-laborde/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/181378) has been in his native France.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

With a [reported £22.57m](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2021/sebastien-haller-to-move-to-ajax/) windfall incoming from the Haller deal – albeit at a [hefty loss from the fee paid](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49017405) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-ham-united/kadernachposition/verein/379), irrespective of Haller’s immediate future.