West Ham United are in the market for a new goalscorer. The transfer record isn’t brilliant with multiple ‘failed’ attempts to land a proven hit man punctuating the David Sullivan era. Michail Antonio needs to be put out to grass in an easier environment for a last hurrah in the championship or overseas. Tim Steidten will be picking the next variant so we hope he shows better judgment than the Niclas Fullkrug aberration.
Reportedly available for less than the price that Steidten paid for Luis Guilherme, Corinthians’ star Yuri Alberto seems an absolute no brainer. He’s already succeeded outside of Brazil – in Russia – so no problems about him being ‘unable to settle’. Alberto is already quoted as saying: ‘My priority is England. I really like it there.”
Between £20 and £25 million will secure him. 23 years old, already linked with West Ham but also Nottingham Forest and Southampton. West Ham have already one failed attempt to sign Alberto in 2023 – so the interest is genuine.
That could well be the same kind of transfer fee which West Ham receive for Nayef Aguerd. Steidten paid £35 million for Mohammed Kudus so, under £25 million for a 23 year old striker who wants to come to the Premier League is within West Ham’s grasp and at last would inject some youth into our squad.
11 goals and 4 assists this year in 26 games might not sound electrifying but what do you get when striker-shopping at Matalan prices? A Brazilian international, decent, right-footed centre forward with loads of potential, young too!
Let us hope the reports from, amongst others, trivela.com.br linking West Ham with an offer before January are proved correct. Tim Steidten has spent time putting the network in place in Brazil, time to make it count. How good would we feel in January, Hammers, with a new striker under 25 in the match day squad!
