Club fear West Ham have turned star’s head but old boss Manuel Pellegrini has other ideas as transfer chase hots up.
If you think the last week or so has been an avalanche of West Ham news regarding signings and the new manager search, then consider this.
We have another four months of it until the summer window closes.
West Ham have so much to do this summer it’s scary.
Reports have abound that the club are looking to make six to eight signings.
Well the Hammers squad is already three short at 22 players. Six of those are out of contract in the summer. And another four – Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd, Danny Ings and Maxwel Cornet – are expected to leave.
So it will be more like a minimum of 10 signings required.
Huge summer window beckons for West Ham
The good news is that technical director Tim Steidten very much seems to be on the case.
West Ham couldn’t wish to have a better man for the job. Just look at what he did at Bayer Leverkusen.
A host of players have been linked with moves to the London Stadium in the last few days,
A number of them are British-based players, many on free transfers. That makes sense with West Ham needing to fulfil their homegrown quota.
But one or two players from abroad are being linked as well.
None more so than Corinthians starlet Wesley Gassova.
Steidten flew to Brazil recently and held talks with Corinthians for talented forward Wesley.
The Brazilians reportedly rebuffed the Hammers’ opening “offer” of £13m for the tricky 19-year-old.
Wesley then scored a wonderful brace showcasing his power, pace and skill in Corinthians’ 3-0 win over Fluminense on Sunday.
Club fear West Ham have turned Wesley’s head
ESPN claimed that sparked Steidten to enter more talks and a second proposal from West Ham worth a reported £15m was allegedly submitted.
That too was rejected and it was claimed West Ham were told to raise their offer to £21m.
There have been claims that none of the Hammers’ offers were official concrete bids.
The intense speculation is having a big impact in Brazil, though, it seems.
Because the club fear West Ham have turned their star’s head but old boss Manuel Pellegrini has other ideas.
According to OTEMPO West Ham’s interest has caused a “headache” for the Corinthians board.
The report claims they fear the interest from east London and the big money being touted will “get into the player’s head and make him ask to be traded to West Ham”.
Old boss Pellegrini has other ideas
Corinthians have insisted to Wesley that nothing concrete has arrived from West Ham as yet despite widespread reports of bids.
The report also claims that Real Betis, managed of course by former Hammers boss Pellegrini, have shown interest in signing the 19-year-old attacker.
Reading between the lines it sounds like West Ham have made informal offers as they build towards an acceptable fee.
Pellegrini’s judgement from his time at West Ham is questionable.
So perhaps that is something David Sullivan will have to take into consideration.
But by the same token, West Ham will not want to miss out to Pellegrini for a potential gem.