West Ham United transfer news: Tim Steidten jets out to seal late Yuri Alberto deal – Dharmesh Sheth
Tim Steidten has flown to Brazil for “face to face talks” in a bid to seal another late West Ham deal in Yuri Alberto, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Sky Sports journalist reported late on Sunday evening (27 August) that the Hammers technical director had gone to meet with Corinthians officials to negotiate the signing of the Brazilian international striker, 22, with the player himself “open” to joining.
Steidten successfully pushed through a deal to sign Mohammed Kudus from Ajax by conducting in-person talks in Amsterdam, with the Ghanian star confirmed as the fourth signing of the summer on Sunday.
West Ham have been after a new striker in addition after the sale of Gianluca Scamacca, and have been linked to the likes of Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri, PSG’s Hugo Ekitike, and Alberto’s fellow Brazilian Pedro.
Expertise
Steidten’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen last month looked like it was going to spell disaster at the London Stadium when the 44-year-old and manager David Moyes clashed over transfer targets.
When the club headed into August without a single signing made it seemed more likely that one of both might leave than much-needed players would come through the doors before the deadline.
But crucially the pair appear to have come to an understanding and West Ham are now reaping the rewards, with Steidten securing vital deals in the market while Moyes has managed the team to second in the Premier League, unbeaten after three games.
That would have been exactly the plan when the hierarchy brought the new man in after deciding to stick with Moyes, and while it looked to have failed spectacularly early on they have turned things around in equally eye-catching form.
Having secured the Kudus deal in the face of rival interest from the likes of Chelsea, soon after bringing in Konstantinos Mavropanos, there will be some confidence in Steidten’s ability to close a deal for Alberto as well.
While the once-capped Brazilian’s scoring record in his home country may be less impressive than compatriot Pedro, 26, he is four years younger, and did manage to score six and assist four more in just 15 appearances in Europe with Zenit St Petersburg, compared to the older man’s disappointing year with Fiorentina.
It looks like Alberto is the top choice for West Ham before the deadline for Steidten to have been sent out in person, and based on his recent record there looks a good chance of him getting it done.
In other West Ham news, a Hammers star has failed to agree terms after three offers to leave came in.