Jota Silva set for ‘inevitable’ transfer amid West Ham speculation, approaches made
Jota Silva is readying for an “inevitable” exit from Vitoria de Guimaraes this summer amid speculation linking him with West Ham, according to Record.
The Portuguese newspaper reported online on 27 July that while the winger has already played and scored in the Primeira Liga side’s UEFA Conference League qualifying matches, he continues to attract interest.
The Irons have a long-standing interest in the 24-year-old forward, who has two caps for his native Portugal, and were recently considering a bid of up to £10.1million to sign the forward [Record, 22 July].
Jota’s representatives have been subject to “several approaches” from clubs in recent days, though with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce also keen, Record’s report did not mention if the Hammers are one of them.
West Ham could add to forward stocks with Jota Silva transfer
Julen Lopetegui arrived in East London with a long list of areas to fix within the squad, but the wide attacking positions won’t have been one which many fans thought needed much attention.
Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen’s form last season was the envy of many Premier League sides, but that hasn’t stopped Lopetegui looking for reinforcements in the form of players like Jota.
The raw and unproven Luis Guilherme’s arrival for £25.5m from Palmeiras should supplement the duo well, but adding Jota to the mix would provide yet another option as Lopetegui bolsters his attack.
With Lucas Paqueta set to play most of the season despite a lingering FA betting charge [The Times, 17 July], the Hammers appear to have one of the strongest attacking lineups in the country, with August just around the corner.
The addition of a free-scoring striker to spearhead this frontline could cost the Irons close to £40m [Evening Standard, 26 July], but securing a deal for Jota at a quarter of that price would prove to be even better business.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have been given a boost as they pursue an unlikely transfer for a legendary La Liga veteran.
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