[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…West Ham United have agreed a deal to sign Sebastian Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.
What’s the word?
Football FanCast sources understand that the fee for Haller totals an initial £45m with the potential to rise to £50m with add-ons and bonuses.
The French striker, who has yet to be capped at senior level, scored 20 goals in all competitions last season.
And he is now set to travel to east London to undergo a medical as the Irons look to complete a deal for their first striking reinforcement of the summer.
Indeed, Manuel Pellegrini’s men failed to acquire Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo in this transfer window despite a protracted pursuit and currently have just Javier Hernandez and Jordan Hugill up front.
A proven goalscorer
Haller would be an excellent addition for the Irons.
He has scored 33 goals in 77 games for Frankfurt but he is not solely an out-and-out forward; he also registered 19 assists during his time with the Bundesliga club.
Prior to his move to Frankfurt, he scored 51 goals in 98 outings with Utrecht and has also been prolific at youth level for France, netting 13 times in 20 games for the Under-21 side.
The Irons are breaking their transfer record to bring him in; they paid £36m to sign Felipe Anderson from Lazio last summer.
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And Haller, per Understat, is a remarkably gifted forward. In 2018/19, he made 29 Bundesliga appearances and scored 15 goals.
He had an expected goals (xG) rate of 13.69, however, meaning he scores chances that he is not expected to, and also averaged 1.57 key passes per 90 – passes leading to a shot – and 2.23 shots per 90.
All of his goals came in the penalty area, too, while nine were within the six-yard box.
This is a poacher who is remarkably efficient at finishing his chances; he’ll surely feel confident of hitting the back of the net in east London.