Fabrizio Romano has laid it on the line with a major new West Ham transfer claim which will excite Hammers fans.
In the modern world of football transfers it is very much a fight to be the first to reveal information on deals.
West Ham used to have the owner’s son Jack Sullivan putting out transfer news on social media as a 12-year-old boy before he realised it was probably not in the club’s best interests.
In fact Sullivan admitted as much in an interview this week.
Nowadays the likes of David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano – to name but two – look to bring fans of West Ham and other clubs across world football details of transfers before anyone else.
They have spent years cultivating their reputations around being first and – more importantly – right.
Romano for example gives deals he believes are set in stone his trademark ‘here we go’.
So it was a massive shock this week when a deal for centre-back Fabricio Bruno collapsed after Romano had given it the ‘here we go’ seal.
Top ITK has fingers burnt by Bruno
It tells you just how close that deal was to being done by West Ham with Flamengo.
But in the unpredictable world of football transfers – especially those involving West Ham – Romano clearly went too soon.
Not his fault of course, his information will have told him it was all done if he put that out there.
And he is used to reporting on elite clubs who tend to get deals done and dusted pretty efficiently when they are in for a player.
Since the Bruno collapse West Ham have turned to other targets both at home and in Brazil, where technical director Tim Steidten remains trying to bring home a player or two.
One of those is Brazilian teenage midfield sensation Luis Guilherme.
The 18-year-old has been the subject of two West Ham bids, the latest being over £25m.
We reported this morning that a journalist in Brazil has claimed there is agreement on all sides for the Guilherme transfer.
Romano lays it on line with major new West Ham claim
The player wants the move, Palmeiras have agreed to West Ham’s offer and the Hammers want him as Julen Lopetegui’s first signing.
But we’ve been here before. Just this week in fact with the Bruno deal. So cynics among West Ham’s fanbase will hold off on any celebrations about landing one of the most coveted young stars in South America.
Until now perhaps.
Because Romano has laid it on the line with a major new West Ham transfer claim.
Unperturbed by claiming the Bruno deal was done only for it to collapse, Romano has made a new claim about a deal for Guilherme.
‘Almost there’
And while he is urging caution after what happened with West Ham’s last transfer attempt, the signs are that ‘here we go’ will be on the way soon.
“More on West Ham and Luis Guilherme exclusive story,” Romano said.
“West Ham have agreed also personal terms with 2006 born talent, salary and contract ready.
“Talks at final stages with Palmeiras on €30m fee (£25m) plus 20% future sale.
“West Ham are almost there — cautious until the end.”
There is no way Romano would risk his reputation by going hard on this deal if he wasn’t supremely confident it will be done.
West Ham want to make three signings for Lopetegui that they can unveil on his first official day of work on July 1st.
Making Guilherme – who has been compared to Mohammed Kudus and linked with Real Madrid – the first would be quite some statement of intent.