Villarreal president Fernando Roig insists the club ‘do not need to sell’ any star players as West Ham United hold talks to bring Arnaut Danjuma back to the Premier League, speaking to El Desmarque.
It is 18 months now since Sebastien Haller was sold to Ajax.
And, try as they might, it seems that West Ham are still – still – no closer to easing the now-crushing burden sitting squarely on Michail Antonio’s shoulders like a lead weight.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers have no qualms about paying the £35 million required to bring former Bournemouth talisman Danjuma back to England. Coming to an agreement with the Dutch international himself, however, is proving to be far more problematic.
In fact, The Guardian believe that David Moyes and co are now ready to accept defeat and look elsewhere. Jesse Lingard, who played the best football of his career during an exceptional loan spell at the London Stadium, is available on a free, of course, after leaving Manchester United.
Are West Ham’s Arnaut Danjuma hopes over already?
What’s more, it’s not as if Villarreal are under any immediate pressure to cash in on last term’s 16-goal top scorer either.
“We don’t have Financial Fair Play problems,” explains Roig. “(We’re in good) financial health and sporting health. We don’t need to sell. But if something comes along, we’ll see.”
When quizzed about Danjuma directly, Roig added that he had know knowledge about any potential move to West Ham.
“I don’t know anything about Danjuma,” he said. “I think the market is on pause. There isn’t the movement of other seasons. Things are calmer. If they stay, great, also if not. We have great strikers.”
Villarreal recently added Jose Luis Morales – one of the most gifted and underrated forwards in Spain – to their ranks. Morales was a beacon of hope shining manfully during a dark season for relegated Levante.
The Champions League semi-finalists have also been linked with departing Manchester United frontman Edinson Cavani. Roig, however, refused to be drawn when asked about the Uruguayan veteran.
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