West Ham United are thought to have received £8million for Havard Nordtveit, who has returned to the Bundesliga after just one season in England.
The former Arsenal youngster joined the Hammers on a free transfer when his contract at Borussia Monchengladbach expired last summer, but failed to make an impact despite making 21 appearances. He has now returned to the Bundesliga after signing a five-year deal with Hoffenheim, who are understood to have paid £8million for the Norway international.
“Havard Nordtveit is much more than just a strong addition to our squad on a sporting level,” the club’s director of football, Alexander Rosen, told the official club website of the midfield player on Wednesday. “Havard is also a big personality off the pitch. Without his willingness to make a personal financial sacrifice, this transfer would never have been possible.”
In terms of reinforcements to Slave Bilic’s squad, Pablo Zabaleta has arrived from Manchester City on a free transfer and could yet be joined by his former Etihad Stadium team-mate Joe Hart. The future of the England international remains uncertain save for the fact it is highly unlikely to be at City, who are hoping to offload him on a permanent basis rather than on loan again.
The Hammers are also keeping tabs on Olivier Giroud. The France international has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer, having expressed his frustration at a lack of first team starts last season. If Arsene Wenger can land one of his main targets – Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe or Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette – then he is likely to allow the former Montpellier man to move on.
