You simply won’t believe the five clubs West Ham United technical director beat to sign Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.
No need to pinch yourselves West Ham fans, you’re not dreaming.
Yes the Hammers have completed the signing of an exciting young star in mid-June, before the summer transfer window was even open.
West Ham proudly announced the capture of Brazilian teen “sensation” Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras for around £25m all in.
Guilherme is the first signing of the post David Moyes era and represents a marked change in transfer policy and strategy from the Hammers – led by Tim Steidten.
West Ham fans are enthused by the deal given Steidten’s track record.
After all the last club where he was handed full control of recruitment was Bayer Leverkusen – including the call to appoint Xabi Alonso.
And look at them now.
Should West Ham fans believe the Guilherme hype?
Until a couple of weeks ago Guilherme was an unknown to the vast majority of English fans and media.
There is of course excitement in West Ham circles about the arrival of Guilherme, a Brazil Under 20 international.
After all videos online show Guilherme to be powerful, rapid and skilful – three key ingredients needed to succeed in the Premier League.
But some have raised concerns about bringing such a young boy straight into the world’s toughest league from Brazilian football.
There is also the elephant in the room which is Guilherme’s statistics.
Earlier this week Hammers News reported that those fans with concerns should be comforted by the fact ‘several Premier League clubs’ also wanted Guilherme.
Well it turns out Guilherme is even more of a coup than supporters might realise.
You won’t believe the clubs Steidten beat to Guilherme
Because you simply won’t believe the five clubs West Ham beat to sign Guilherme.
According to The Athletic, Guilherme was very much on the radar of some of the most elite clubs on the planet.
They include none other than 15-time European champions Real Madrid.
And the others on the list aren’t too bad either – Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea.
The report states that over the past nine months, scouts for German giants Bayern – as well as West Ham’s Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea – travelled to Brazil to ‘monitor the development of Guilherme’.
It goes on to claim that the mighty Real Madrid and their big rivals Barca also had interest but Steidten was able to convince Guilherme that moving to West Ham was the right next step in his fledgling career.
This is exactly where West Ham should be positioning themselves in the football food chain.
Exactly where West Ham should be positioning themselves
The Hammers will comfortably beat other teams in the so-called Other 14 to top young players with the huge fanbase, stadium, history and London factor.
Steidten’s strategy is something the club should implemented years ago.
Signing top young talent for reasonable fees and luring them to West Ham with the incentive of more game time than they would get at a so-called elite club.
The Hammers then nurture that talent over a few seasons and – if it suits all parties – sell on at a huge profit to one of those clubs.
In the meantime those players can help West Ham become successful and attractive to other young stars. And the cycle continues.
This is Steidten implementing a Red Bull-esque strategy at the London Stadium and there are exciting times ahead.
Especially after Steidten revealed the promise he made to Guilherme about West Ham’s transfer plans.