Whenever there’s a clear striker need at a mid-to-top Premier League club, up pop claims about Moussa Dembélé. This has been the case going back to the player’s time with Celtic, and it’s repeatedly been clear that the stories are fed by agents.
Given the news over Sébastien Haller’s transfer to Ajax this week, a move which was officially announced on Friday morning, it was inevitable that the Lyon man would be named as a possible replacement.
That came on Thursday, with RMC Sport’s Loïc Tanzi claiming West Ham ‘activated the trail leading to Dembélé’ and did so ‘two days ago’.
The 24-year-old is currently out with a broken arm, and it’s not too unkind to say he hasn’t been having a great season for the Ligue 1 side.
Friday’s edition of L’Equipe reports interest from Atletico Madrid, and the Hammers don’t even get a mention. The Spanish club have sent an offer to Lyon, which would see them loan Dembélé until the end of the season and have a purchase option in the summer.
Dembélé is keen on the move and L’Equipe say Lyon, who will not stand in his way, are negotiating with Atletico.
Should the claims be correct, and not more agent games, then it’s clear Atletico Madrid, top of La Liga with two games in hand, is a move attractive prospect than West Ham.