West Ham 'could pay £30m for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr' in search for Sebastian Haller replacement

West Ham ‘open to paying £30m for Watford winger Ismaila Sarr’ as David Moyes’ Hammers search for Sebastian Haller replacement after the Frenchman swapped east London for Ajax this week 

  • West Ham are looking for a forward after Sebastian Haller’s sale to Ajax this week
  • The Hammer could pay £30million for Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, say reports 
  • The 22-year-old was linked to the Hammers in the summer transfer window
  • Sarr opted to stay with the Hornets despite their relegation to the Championship 

West Ham are able to fork out £30million to splash out of Watford winger Ismaila Sarr this window, according to reports. 

The 22-year-old is one of the top players in the Championship this season after deciding to stay at Vicarage Road despite the Hornets’ relegation from the top-flight last season.

The Hammers cashed in on top scorer Sebastian Haller earlier this week, who swapped east London for Dutch giants Ajax in a £20million move.

West Ham are prepared to pay £30million for Watford winger Ismail Sarr, according to reports

West Ham are prepared to pay £30million for Watford winger Ismail Sarr, according to reports

David Moyes' (right) side let top scorer Sebastian Haller (left) join Ajax for £20million this week

David Moyes’ (right) side let top scorer Sebastian Haller (left) join Ajax for £20million this week

And according to The Sun, David Moyes’ side are ready to make a £30m bid for the Senegalese international as a replacement for Haller.

Sarr was a target for West Ham during the summer transfer window just gone but the Hammers opted to go for Brentford winger Said Benrahma on an initial loan deal instead. 

The Hornets winger, who moved to Watford from Rennes in the summer of 2019 for £30m, was also linked with a summer move to either Liverpool and Manchester United.

Sarr (right) is one of the top players in the Championship this season with Watford lying sixth

Sarr (right) is one of the top players in the Championship this season with Watford lying sixth

Sarr then stayed with Watford in the second-tier and has four goals and five assists in his 18 Championship matches to date this season.

The Senegalese winger can also be used up front which could come in handy for the Hammers, who have just one recognised forward at the club.  

Haller’s transfer to Ajax earlier this week leaves Michail Antonio as the only central option for Moyes, who admits the east Londoners will have to be creative while a replacement for the departed Frenchman is identified. 

Speaking ahead of West Ham’s FA Cup trip to non-league Stockport on Monday, Moyes said: ‘You (could) do what Man City does, play without a number nine and you actually play even better than you’ve ever played before. 

Michail Antonio (above) is West Ham's only recognised striker at the club after Haller's sale

Michail Antonio (above) is West Ham’s only recognised striker at the club after Haller’s sale

‘You have to start being creative and certainly Pep (Guardiola) has been (there and done) that with what he’s done at Man City, and who knows if we don’t have anybody, we will need to start being creative ourselves here.’ 

After the Stockport match on Monday night, Moyes’ Hammers host Burnley in their next Premier League game at the London Stadium.

Sarr, meanwhile, started Watford’s cup defeat to Manchester United on Saturday night but the 22-year-old is in line to start the Hornets’ next second-tier tie with Huddersfield this Saturday.  

source: dailymail.co.uk