A board insider and a journalist have delivered the very latest on the West Ham move for Brazilian teenage star Luis Guilherme.
It wouldn’t be a West Ham transfer window without a long, drawn out transfer saga.
And that’s exactly what Hammers fans are getting while technical director Tim Steidten is over in Brazil.
Steidten’s focus has very much been trained on the Brazilian market in the last two weeks.
But the German has been struggling to get deals over the line thus far in the notoriously difficult South American market place where multiple agents are often involved.
West Ham failed to sign Corinthians winger Wesley Gassova.
Attentions then turned to Brazilian centre-back Fabricio Bruno. Transfer ITK Fabrizio Romano even damaged his reputation by giving the move his ‘here we go’ seal only for it to collapse.
The real reason why has since been reported on Hammers News.
West Ham’s latest transfer saga takes new twist
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.
But that deal has also hit turbulence with a host of reports from journalists including Jacob Steinberg, Jack Rosser and Graeme Bailey claiming it is on the brink of collapse.
It has been claimed interest from Saudi Arabia has scuppered deals for Bruno and now 18-year-old Palmeiras star Guilherme.
Hammers News spoke to West Ham about the Guilherme deal.
And the top source inside the club defended Steidten, saying it is not his fault Saudi had driven the price and wages up on the Guilherme and other deals.
There was another twist when the deal was suddenly very much back on.
Palmeiras were even said to be ‘dumbfounded’ by what they’ve heard coming out of West Ham.
There has been claim and counter claim since.
Board insider and journalist deliver Guilherme latest
But now a board insider and a journalist have delivered the latest on the West Ham move for Guilherme.
Bailey has spoken exclusively to Hammers News about the Guilherme deal.
He says demands went beyond what the club were willing to pay but insists David Sullivan does rate the player.
And in the last 24 hours Bailey says it looks like Steidten will get his man.
“Tim is getting his man it seems,” Bailey has told Hammers News.
“Initial deal they are saying is £20m – player will be on around 50k per week.
“The whole thing is sounding better for West Ham now.”
Uncertainty reigns
Worryingly, though, Sean Whetstone, who counts Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady among his close contacts, says the move has been hit by yet another snag.
Whetstone claims a mystery club is trying to hijack West Ham’s move.
“The West Ham deal to sign 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras has hit yet another snag over night with yet another club trying to make a late bid,” Whetstone said.
“The new club whose identity is unknown is trying to hijack the Hammers deal. West Ham are still trying to get a deal over the line but facing still competition for the teenager’s signature.
“It’s never done until the player signs his contract.”
You can check out what Guilherme might bring to West Ham in the video below.