David Moyes
Former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller has revealed the opportunity to win titles and to be ‘trusted’ were the key reasons behind his transfer to Ajax in January. The Hammers record signing cost the club a fee in the region of £45million but failed to live up to the hype as he managed just ten league goals in 48 appearances.
David Moyes said: “Maybe if we didn’t take this offer now maybe we would not have got it at a later stage, so we just felt it was the right thing to do.”
The Hammers did not find a like-for-like replacement for Haller in the winter transfer window, with Moyes settling for adding just Jesse Lingard to his attacking ranks for the second half of the season. A move the boss said panned out better than even if could have imagined. The reasons behind why West Ham let Haller go have been clear for some time, but now the Ivory Coast international has revealed why he felt he had to leave the London Stadium.
Sebastian Haller said: “I love the Netherlands, this country has been a real starting point for me and my family. There is symbolism for us here. When Ajax come calling for you, it’s hard to say no. They are a cult club with an attacking culture of their own. In addition, I already knew the league, the principles of the coach [Erik ten Hag], who works in an ultra-meticulous way, and also a good part of the dressing room.”
It is clear Haller enjoys playing in the Netherlands, with the striker’s record reading 11 goals in 19 Eredivisie appearances in 2021 to take his tally to 52 in 101 matches in the Dutch top flight. The 26-year-old has put his success at Ajax down to being a regular starter, something he was not always guaranteed at West Ham, and the trust he feels because of this, in a subtle dig aimed at his former club.
Sebastian Haller said: “I knew that I would be trusted and that I would have the opportunity to play the leading roles to win titles. “
Haller’s move has certainly been a success for the Ivorian with the striker helping his new side to a league and cup double and a spot in next season’s Champions League.
