West Ham United reportedly wanted Alexis Claude-Maurice this summer.
West Ham United were linked with Lorient winger Alexis Claude-Maurice over the summer, but he’s finally about to make his move.
The Hammers were looking for attacking reinforcements over the summer, and ended up splashing the cash on playmaker Pablo Fornals and striker Sebastien Haller.
A new winger didn’t arrive though, despite the Hammers seemingly making a move for Lorient talent Claude-Maurice.
The 21-year-old hit 14 goals in Ligue 2 last season, and unsurprisingly attracted major interest off the back of his performances in France’s second tier.
Sky Sports reported that West Ham made a £10million bid, only for Lorient president Loic Fery to tell Le Telegramme that he had rejected bids from English clubs.
West Ham didn’t manage to get the speed Frenchman signed this summer, but he will now be making a move after a photo emerged of him watching Nice in action against Marseille on Wednesday.
Eurosport’s Johann Crochet posted a photo on Twitter of Claude-Maurice and Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg watching Nice, ahead of joining the club after Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover.
RMC Sport claim the fee is €14million (£12million), only slightly more than the fee West Ham offered, and they must now hope that he doesn’t make them regret not paying that extra couple of million over the coming years.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
