West Ham agree club record deal in first January signing: ‘He has a knack for beautiful goals’
West Ham aren’t waiting around to get deals done in the now-open January transfer window.
In fact, staff at the London Stadium were working overtime before the turn of the year to ensure that Nuno Espirito Santo’s desperation for new signings is settled.
It was reported late on New Year’s Eve that West Ham have a deal in place to sign Gil Vicente’s Brazilian striker Pablo.
The 21-year-old has scored 10 goals in 13 league appearances for his side this season as they impress in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, sitting fourth behind Porto, Sporting CP and Benfica in the standings.
West Ham have had serious centre-forward issues in recent years, and Pablo now looks to be the next big-money signing for David Sullivan to bolster Nuno‘s attack.
What are the details of Pablo’s move to West Ham?
According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Pablo is expected to arrive in London on New Year’s Day to complete a medical after West Ham agreed a mega-money deal to sign him from Gil Vicente.
It is understood that the Irons are paying £20million to sign the Braga-born Brazilian, which is a club record sale for his current club.
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 2024-25 | 23 | 5 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 14 | 10 | 1 |
Plettenberg adds that West Ham will have the deal done ahead of their relegation showdown with Wolves at Molineux this weekend.
Pablo joined Gil Vicente on an initial loan deal from Famalicao in 2024-25, before the deal was made permanent last summer and he signed a four-year contract.
Back in April, he scored a 10-minute hat-trick against Boavista and is interestingly the son of former Porto striker Pena, who was the Portuguese top-flight’s top goalscorer in the 2000-01 season.
What’s been said about Pablo?
Portuguese football experts Portugoal have described Pablo as a striker who “has a knack for beautiful, technically demanding goals”.
Although Gil Vincente are by no means a top club in Portugal, he’s managed to help propel them up the table and has even found the back of the net against other big clubs.
Earlier this season, he scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Braga, who Gil Vicente are currently above in the standings.
Back in January, he scored the opener in a shock 3-1 win over Porto, which led to the Portuguese giants sacking Vitor Bruno.
If he can keep up this sort of form in the Premier League, Hammers fans will no doubt be delighted with Sullivan and Nuno’s first bit of teamwork in the transfer market.
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