Alexis Claude-Maurice has revealed he wants to sign for German side Borussia Monchengladbach - dealing a hammer blow to West Ham and also Arsenal in the process.
The Lorient striker has been tracked by West Ham for some time and the club were ready to make a play for him this summer to bring him to London after netting 14 times in Ligue 2 last season.
Claude-Maurice was on a list of striker targets for Hammers director of football Mario Husillos alongisde Maxi Gomez, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Salomon Rondon.
But it seems as though the France U20 international won't be heading to London any time soon.
In an interview with L’Équipe (via Get French Football News ), the player has named the team he wants to join this summer, and it's not West Ham
"I want to join Gladbach [Borussia Mönchengladbach]. They are a club that focus on young players," said the 21-year-old.
"There is a good structure, they are playing in the Europa League. I like their project & it suits me."
While the Hammers have not been completely ruled out of the race for Claude-Maurice they will seemingly struggle to get him to the east of the capital if he has his heart set on Germany.
West Ham defender Reece Oxford spent a year on loan at Monchengladbach for the 2017/18 season, returning to London halfway through to try and impress former manager David Moyes but not managing to do so before he was sent back to the Germans for the final six months having failed to make an impression.
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