Joe Roberts

Fri 28 July 2023 8:40, UK

West Ham’s signing of Carlos Borges from Manchester City is “very close” to completion but the main issue regarding the transfer has been the buyback clause, according to ExWHUemployee.

Borges will reportedly be bought for £14million after the winger had a quality season earning 21 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League 2, with City securing a £40million buyback clause.

Borges’ agent’s relationship with West Ham chairman David Sullivan’s family was also a significant factor in helping get the deal done, while the club’s head of recruitment Rob Newman had been aware of the 19-year-old’s quality after his time at City.

Writing on his Patreon (28 July), ExWHUemployee said: “The Carlos Borges transfer is very close to being agreed with Manchester City now and hopefully can all be finalised soon. The main stumbling block appeared to be the buyback clause.

“Manchester City have inserted these clauses into contracts of previous youngsters they have sold such as Romeo Lavia to Southampton.

“It is thought that Borges’s buy-back clause will be around £40m which is a decent figure considering we are due to sign him for around £14m and has finally been agreed.

“Rob Newman previously worked at Manchester City and knew of his abilities and Borges’ English agent is a close friend of one of the Sullivan family (it’s not Will Salthouse) so the player has been on the radar for a long while.

“Once the deal has all been finalised with Man City (which it is on the brink of), personal terms will be agreed and a medical completed before an announcement is made.”

Good for all

Despite not making his senior debut for Manchester City, Borges is a highly-rated prospect, meaning City were keen to insert a buyback clause for the 19-year-old, which is on the “brink” of completion.

After his steadfast dealings with Arsenal during the Declan Rice transfer, Sullivan has again shown his worth to West Ham through his links with Borges’ agent.

Buyback clauses were beneficial to both clubs, as the cost for the original club to repurchase their former players would often be at least double what they were sold for.

This protects the buying club as they don’t take a big hit on their investment, while also protecting the original club as they have priority to re-sign the player.

Borges himself looks to be something of a coup from West Ham. His blistering pace and exceptional finishing ability suggest he could evolve into a dangerous winger in the Premier League. At just £14million too, he could be a steal.

His only red flag would be his complete lack of senior minutes, having only played for Manchester City in youth and development competitions.

But West Ham will not be buying him as a ready-made first-team star, but he will likely be integrated across this season and may hope for good minutes this time next year.

However, if he reaches world-class heights, then maybe a call from Pep Guardiola will be in order if City want his services back. £40million would be a good price for West Ham financially as they would certainly make a profit, but if he replicates his PL2 form in the senior Premier League, his value may be much higher than that.

However, it is still very early in the young man’s career and the chance to spread his wings with senior football at West Ham must be exciting. The deal looks to be good for all involved, as long as Borges can make an impact on the first team in the coming seasons.

In other West Ham news, a nine-year servant to the Hammers is reportedly attempting to force a move away from the London Stadium.