West Ham United bid for Corinthians striker Yuri Albert rejected, Tim Steidten working on deal
West Ham United have had their opening bid for Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto rejected ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline, reports Toby Cudworth.
Writing on his personal Twitter account (29 August), the 90min journalist reports that the Hammers had a bid for the 22-year-old turned down with the Brazilian club having no desire to sell him.
Technical director Tim Steidten remains in Brazil pursuing a deal however, but he is also working on other targets in case a deal for Alberto isn’t doable.
“West Ham’s first approach for Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto turned down,” he wrote.
“The Brazilian side have no real desire to sell as it stands, West Ham and technical director Tim Steidten working on this player and a number of others too.”
Time is ticking
West Ham have made it abundantly clear publicly now that they are in the market for a striker and it seems they are leaving no stone unturned in their hunt.
Alberto seems to be the prime target, but there is also talk for Marcos Leonardo, Youssef En-Nesyri and Pedro for the position and it seems to be a case of whichever deal can be agreed first will be the one we go forward with.
Michail Antonio and Danny Ings’ roles within the squad seem to be up in the air currently and if a striker comes in before Friday’s deadline it’s certainly possible that one of them could leave.
Moyes wants a physical presence up top who can lead the line on his own and these young Brazilian options would be a gamble, but there is always the possibility that they explode too.
It’s an interesting chase and with a few days left, time is ticking on getting a deal done to get the squad up to scratch for the manager.
In other West Ham news, winner named in race for £25m West Ham-linked striker as medical done.