A journalist who specialises in Brazilian football has made a shocking claim about who Luis Guilherme will replace at West Ham.
West Ham might need more homegrown players this summer but they’re clearly planning a Samba revolution too.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten has a strong network in Brazil.
And the German has spent the last year scouting a plethora of emerging and established talent.
That has been obvious from West Ham’s targets since he joined last summer.
A move for Brazil defender Fabricio Bruno has fallen through – with the truth behind that collapse revealed earlier.
Hammers News reported yesterday that the Bruno deal had hit turbulence and Steidten had immediately switched to other targets in Brazil.
One of those we mentioned in that report was Luis Guilherme.
Steidten’s Samba revolution
It had been claimed that Palmeiras were desperate to hold on to teenage midfield sensation Guilherme after West Ham put in a £21m bid for the talented 18-year-old.
Now according to UOL, Steidten has made an increased second bid of £25 million for the starlet.
What’s more, it’s being reported that Guilherme has given the ‘green light’ on a move to the London Stadium.
Guilherme is a left-footed right winger by trade but can also play on the left, or in the number 10 position.
Guilherme is technically brilliant and plays with a fearlessness belying his tender years.
He has even been described as the new ‘Ronaldinho’ as reported on Yahoo.
Now a journalist has made a shocking claim about who Guilherme will replace at West Ham.
Shocking claim about who Guilherme will replace
TeamTALK reporter Ben Mattinson is an expert on Brazilian football.
He has absolutely raved about West Ham’s move for Guilherme and predicts he’ll be a sensation.
Mattinson also says West Ham is the perfect next step for the talented teen’s career.
But he has warned Hammers fans that he believes this is a clear sign West Ham are being clever by signing a replacement for Mohammed Kudus a year in advance.
“Luis Guilherme would be a HUGE signing for West Ham, yet they’re exactly the type of club he should join,” Mattinson said.
“As mentioned in the thread, he’s a player who thrives on transitions whether it’s through his electric pace, carrying over long distances or picking out a well/weighted through ball.
“Being in a team with Bowen and Kudus on transitions, he will thrive. They’re also a good sized club for him to be challenged but not too much. He’s good enough to start and provides depth across the whole of the three behind the 9.
‘It would allow him to settle’
“RW, LW, number 10 If they move to a midfield three he can play in there as a second striker/interior. Or if they stick with a 4-2-3-1 he can be the 10. Excited to see how he adapts…
“Another huge positive of the move of Luis Guilherme for West Ham is some of his similarities to Kudus,” Matttinson added.
“With Kudus doing so well this year and having a release clause which starts in 2025, signing Guilherme now would allow him to settle in and be ready to replace Kudus seamlessly in 2025…
“Guilherme isn’t a like for like replacement for Kudus, but is similar in terms of his ability to roam around creating in the pockets, beating players in 1v1’s, covering RW, AM, LW, being a strong ball carrier.”
Embrace West Ham’s place in the football food chain
Wow. If Guilherme is half the player Kudus is then this could be very exciting times indeed for West Ham.
Yes it will hurt to see Kudus go next summer if someone meets his £85m release clause.
But in many ways West Ham have to accept and be realistic about their place in the football food chain.
If the Hammers are signing players like Kudus and Guilherme, getting two or three brilliant seasons from them and then selling them on for double the money to European elite clubs then they are doing something right.
If West Ham do sign Guilherme, fans will at least get to enjoy him and Kudus in the same team for a season.