West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed his club are no longer in for the French striker, having all-but sealed a loan deal for Argentina Olympic forward Jonathan Calleri.
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However, Bilic hopes West Ham can condemn the 47-year-old to defeat in his first game in English football by taking inspiration from last season’s impressive away wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
“We signed Calleri”, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic told the club’s official website.
“He is a top striker and we have a good balance in the squad”.
“I said we would add five players to the squad”, he added.
“We had a good season past year but we wanted to improve the team”.
Ghana global Ayew cost a club-record £20.5 million and Bilic feels the 26-year-old, who scored 12 Premier League goals last season, will have a major impact in east London.
“West Ham was always labelled as a club that has to sell its best players, be it Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand or whoever”.
The forward almost joined the Hammers for nothing last summer before opting for Swansea after his contract with Marseille expired. “He is a manager who has wanted me for the past few years and today I’m lucky to play under him”. My issue is to make sure I give back the coach and the fans the confidence they have given to me and make the West Ham fans proud.
“West Ham? That’s great – because you feel you have the ingredients. We need a squad but I’m happy”.
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“He came back in really good shape so he doesn’t need a long preseason individually”, Bilic said.
