West Ham ready to cut losses on £25m Luis Guilherme, replacement mooted
West Ham United were eager to recoup a quick buck by selling a player they had only signed last summer, according to Ian Darke.
The TV commentator, speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, believes the Hammers have the resources to take an easy hit without too much bother, as the summer spree orchestrated by Tim Steidten has had an underwhelming effect.
Steidten has now departed the London Stadium with his decision to appoint the luckless Julen Lopetegui seemingly the final straw, as Graham Potter looks to pick up the pieces with a side marooned in the bottom half of the Premier League.
West Ham eye replacement for Luis Guilherme
West Ham were apparently very keen to make back a fraction of the £25million they paid for teenage prospect Luis Guilherme last summer, allowing funds to bring in a player who could make a quicker impact before the deadline.
The Brazilian arrived from Palmeiras as the first of Steidten’s recruitment drive, but he has not yet started a league match and the Hammers wanted to bring players through the door, a difficult challenge without sanctioning a sale.
Porto were leading the charge towards Deadline Day (Felipe Silva, 4 February) after initial interest from the Saudi Pro League, but for now, Guilherme remains an Irons player and featured in a four-minute cameo from the bench against Chelsea as the transfer window closed (3 February).
“It seemed as if West Ham were willing to cut their losses with Guilherme and look to bring someone in quickly who can make a bigger impact,” Darke said.
“Premier League clubs now have got so much money swilling around that they can take punts for sums like £25million. Maybe deals like that are the reason behind Tim Steidten leaving.
“Guilherme has made a few substitute appearances, not started a single game.”
Guilherme likely to leave in summer
Guilherme was brought in as a project signing, and appeared one heck of a commitment with a £25m fee paid for the 18-year-old – but now looks to be the sacrificial lamb at the altar of more rapid results.
However, the transfer links were rife when he was failing to get in the side under both Lopetegui and Potter – but it is uncertain really what people expected, he was never going to start every week this season.
The Brazilian must be unsettled to an extent and having noticed the calibre of clubs circling him such as Porto, it could well be a tempting proposition for him to close the book on the Hammers in the summer.
With PSR constraints a mindful factor at the London Stadium, receiving back at least some of what they paid for Guilherme looks to be the quick and easy option the Irons are likely to take unless the teenager suddenly makes a massive impact.