A Brazilian club are dumbfounded by what they’ve heard coming out of West Ham amid a topsy turvy transfer wrangle.
It wouldn’t be West Ham if there wasn’t a transfer saga or two during the window.
The problem for the Hammers is that they have no time to waste given the huge rebuild needed.
Premier League squads are capped at 25 players and West Ham will go into pre-season with only 17.
That’s not allowing for any further departures with the likes of Nayef Aguerd, Danny Ings and others linked with moves away.
All areas of the West Ham team and squad need strengthening.
The focus of technical director Tim Steidten has been on the South American market in the last two weeks.
Particularly Brazil.
But the German has been struggling to get deals over the line thus far.
Steidten’s Samba search
A move for Corinthians winger Wesley Gassova failed.
Then Brazilian centre-back Fabricio Bruno looked to have signed with Fabrizio Romano damaging his reputation by giving the move his ‘here we go’ seal only for it to collapse.
Romano then claimed West Ham’s next target, Luis Guilherme of Palmeiras, was set for a medical this week after agreement was reached on all sides.
That deal too has hit turbulence with a host of reports from journalists Jacob Steinberg and Jack Rosser claiming it is on the brink of collapse.
It has been claimed interest from Saudi Arabia has scuppered deals for Bruno and now Guilherme.
Hammers News spoke to West Ham yesterday about the situation and claims that Steidten is under pressure.
And the top source inside the club defended the technical director, saying it is not his fault Saudi had driven the price and wages up on the Guilherme and other deals.
But a Brazilian club is said to be dumbfounded by what they’ve heard coming out of West Ham.
Brazilian club dumbfounded by what they’ve heard
Brazilian football journalist Andre Hernan has refuted claims Guilherme is set to snub West Ham for Saudi.
Hernan states that Palmeiras and the player are bemused by such claims.
In fact he goes as far as to state that Palmeiras are not aware of any genuine interest from the Arabs for Guilherme and are currently exchanging documents with West Ham.
Hernan also makes clear that the agents of the 18-year-old midfield sensation would not even entertain offers from Saudi as they are more interested in progressing their client’s career.
“More details about the sale of Luís Guilherme to West Ham in England,” Hernan said, introducing his YouTube update where he claims the deal is still going ahead.
Saudi rumours: where from and why?
This will come as a huge relief because many West Ham fans are excited about the Guilherme move.
But it begs the question where are the Saudi claims originating and – more importantly – why?
Cynics among the West Ham fanbase – of which there are many – will have their own ideas on that.
There has been some understandable concern among supporters that West Ham are taking a big risk bringing an 18-year-old straight to the Premier League from Brazilian football.
Guilherme is a maverick, left-footed right winger. But he can also play on the left or through the middle as a number 10.
Likened to Mohammed Kudus, Guilherme is so technically gifted he has even been described as the new ‘Ronaldinho’ – as reported on Yahoo.
That’s some reputation to live up to.
But it also suggests West Ham could have a real talent on their hands if they can get the transfer over the line.