West Ham United need to pay £17m to sign Brazil midfielder Gerson
West Ham and Sevilla are in the race to sign Marseille midfielder Gerson in the January window, according to a report from Jeunes Footeux.
The midfielder was linked with a move to Flamengo, but the Brazilian club cannot afford to sign him which could leave the door open at the London Stadium.
There is an expectation that the Hammers will move for him at the start of the January transfer window and it would take around £17m to secure his signature.
While Marseille are in no rush to sell the player, the report shares that Gerson’s departure would “speed up several issues” at the club.
GOAL Brasil reported on 24 November that the Hammers have been offered the chance to sign the midfielder with the player’s agents currently negotiating a potential move.
Good move?
The 25-year-old midfielder has been in brilliant form this season, managing 13 appearances and netting two goals in Ligue 1.
He has a contract at the club until 2026, but the French club could be open to selling him in January.
David Moyes will be looking to strengthen his squad during the January window, with the Hammers sitting uncomfortably just above the relegation zone.
Adding a midfielder could be a priority for the club, with the Hammers relying heavily on Declan Rice to deliver. Tomas Soucek has suffered a horrible dip in form, and his future has come under intense speculation in recent months.
Lucas Paqueta, the big-money summer signing, is yet to show his true class for the Hammers, and probably he needs more time to settle in.
Flynn Downes, another option for Moyes, impressed in European games, but he has been largely ignored by the Hammers boss. Thus, fresh legs are certainly needed to bolster the midfield, and the Brazilian international fits the bill.
He was a key member of the Marseille side that finished second in the league last season and has Champions League experience as well.