Fabrizio Romano has delivered a cryptic update on the West Ham deal to make Luis Guilherme their first signing of the summer.
It’s a transfer tale that’s had more twists than the Orbital Tower outside West Ham’s London Stadium.
But it seems there has been another turn in West Ham’s move for Brazilian sensation Luis Guilherme.
The Hammers have been in talks to sign Palmeiras’ 18-year-old attacking midfield star for the last 10 days.
When deals for Brazilians Wesley Gassova and Fabricio Bruno fell through, West Ham technical director Tim Steidten turned his attentions to Guilherme.
Dubbed the ‘new Ronaldinho’ the prospect excited West Ham fans who scrambled for YouTube to watch clips of the powerful and skilful young ace.
Cynics among the Hammers fanbase declared they would believe it when they see it following previous transfer failures.
A true West Ham transfer saga
But when transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano claimed Guilherme was set for a medical this week after agreement was reached on all sides, Hammers fans allowed themselves to dream.
True to form, though, that deal has also hit turbulence.
A host of reports from journalists including Jacob Steinberg, Jack Rosser and Graeme Bailey claimed interest from Saudi Arabia had all but collapsed the Guilherme deal.
Hammers News then spoke to West Ham about the move for some clarity.
The top contact inside West Ham defended Steidten, insisting it was not his fault Saudi had driven the price and wages up on the Guilherme deal.
But there was yet another twist when the deal was said to be very much back on.
Not only that but Guilherme’s club Palmeiras were even said to be ‘dumbfounded’ by what they’d heard coming out of West Ham.
It was also insisted the player had no interest in going to Saudi.
Romano’s cryptic update on Guilherme to West Ham
This morning Hammers News brought you the latest on the situation from a journalist and board insider.
Graeme Bailey told us things were “sounding better for West Ham” and that “Tim was getting his man.”
Sean Whetstone meanwhile claimed a mystery club was trying to hijack the move.
Now Romano has delivered a cryptic update on the Guilherme to West Ham deal.
Taking to X on Wednesday evening, the Italian transfer ITK posted three emojis next to West Ham’s initials.
And it all points to West Ham closing in on a deal to finally sign Guilherme.
Replaying to his own post from three days ago about the fine details of the deal, Romano simply put crossed Hammers, timer and Brazil flag emojis next to WHUFC.
On-off deal finally on?
The update has gone down well with West Ham fans on social media.
They say good things come to those that wait.
Let’s hope that’s the case for Steidten and West Ham when it comes to Guilherme.
There have been understandable concerns raised about bringing an 18-year-old straight from Brazilian football to the Premier League.
But this is not Steidten’s first rodeo. One only need look at his signings last summer and the job he did at Bayer Leverkusen to see the German knows what he is doing.
In Julen Lopetegui, West Ham should – based on accounts of those who know his style and philosophy – be a manager who can get the best out of Guilherme too.