West Ham failed in a £45 million bid for Torino striker Andrea Belotti over the summer, according to Football Insider.
The Hammers ended up breaking their transfer record to bring in French forward Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt, but not before they attempted to land the 22 cap Italian international.
It is understood that the Irons approached Belotti’s current employers with a bid of £45 million, but Torino were seeking a fee in excess of £50 million.
OPINION
This would have a been a show stopping signing from West Ham had they pulled it off. Belotti is a top tier striker, there is no doubting that, and he certainly has the quality and the natural finishing streak needed to be a success wherever he goes. The Italian averaged 3.4 shots on goal per game in Serie A last term, as per Whoscored, as well as winning 4.1 aerial duels. In truth, however, missing out on him could prove to be a blessing in disguise. Haller, who they landed instead, looks to be a really tasty proposition, and his average of 6.9 aerial duels, as well as 1.3 key passes per match, as per Whoscored, hints at a player who maybe has a little more to his game in terms of linking up with those around him. If the big Frenchman can get firing early on, the Hammers will be asking “Belotti who?”.
