Mundo Deportivo have picked up claims from Spanish radio that West Ham have a ‘strong interest’ in Loren Moron.
The striker scored seven goals in 15 matches for Real Betis last season but hasn’t really been a player pushed around the market this summer. With a contract lasting until June 2021, Betis haven’t been under huge pressure to renew other than to increase his €25m buyout clause.
Therefore, claims a club being prepared to pay that would certainly help him get a better deal.
It’s claimed West Ham have been willing to match that figure, and therefore a contract renewal has been rushed through. Only the final paperwork and signatures are needed to make the deal official.
This all seems slightly curious. If West Ham have been willing to pay the clause, they could simply have done it, there would need to be no negotiation. Loren would then be able to choose, and surely the Hammers would find that out beforehand.
So either he didn’t want the move, in which case there’s no panic anyway, or the claims have been exaggerated or fabricated and West Ham haven’t been prepared to pay it.
This smacks of either West Ham being used by the player’s representatives, to pressure Real Betis, or by the Spanish club to make their new deal look all the better. Or both.
