Villarreal asking price stance emerges on West Ham United-linked Alexander Sorloth
Villarreal won’t reduce their £32million asking price for West Ham-linked striker Alexander Sorloth, according to Marca.
The Spanish publication reported in their print edition (31 July, page 23) that the La Liga side won’t sell the 28-year-old for less than his £32m release clause, and have told Roma and Atletico Madrid the same.
However, the report stated that Villarreal are now ready to discuss how the payment of the fee will be structured with Atletico, who are hoping for flexibility.
The Rojiblancos are now actively pursuing the Norwegian having failed to reach an agreement for Girona striker Artem Dovbyk, providing the Irons with active competition as they look to sign Sorloth.
West Ham can’t afford bidding war for Alexander Sorloth transfer
While the Irons have proven they’re capable of shelling out big money to sign the players they want this summer, Villarreal having no need to sell suggests there is no wiggle room on the £32m asking price [Marca, 30 July].
Julen Lopetegui’s side are already locked in negotiations for one striker set to cost well north of £30m, with Sorloth seemingly the next-best choice if they can’t seal a deal for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran [Evening Standard, 26 July].
The three fairly quick-fire arrivals of Luis Guilherme, Wes Foderingham and Max Kilman earlier this window are yet to be added upon, and that’s largely due to being bogged down in similar negotiations.
Therefore, with Villarreal giving no leeway on the price they’ll accept for Sorloth, it may be best for the Hammers to turn their attention elsewhere and look for a less expensive option.
The likes of Arkadiusz Milik – at a fraction of Sorloth’s price tag – have been mooted in recent days [Corriere dello Sport, 30 July], and with the Premier League season fast-approaching, a stop-gap striker may be the answer for now.
In other West Ham news, an injured star has joined up with the Hammers’ squad as he continues his recovery in pre-season.
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