West Ham United fear late Luis Guilherme hijack as they close in on transfer agreement
West Ham are close to a deal for Luis Guilherme but still fear a late hijack attempt, according to Nizaar Kinsella.
The BBC Sport journalist reported via Twitter on late on 3 June that the Irons were still in negotiations over the Brazilian teenager for a move worth €30million [£25.5m] and full agreement was not far off.
But amid drama over the previous few days which had seen the deal advance quickly, then seemingly be about to collapse, before being revived again there is still some trepidation that it could be derailed once more.
Kinsella wrote: “West Ham are getting close to a full agreement for Palmeiras forward Luis Guilherme. Talks over a €25million + €5m move ongoing. Still some fears over another club coming in.”
Can West Ham close signing of the Julen Lopetegui era?
The Saudi Pro League may not be shelling out the wild money they were in previous transfer windows but with rival interest reported from the Middle Eastern country [The Sun, 3 June] it is still a threat.
West Ham have already had plenty of drama and the window doesn’t even open for over a week, with Tim Steidten’s job being called into question after a move for Patricio Bruno collapsed followed by fears of the same with Guilherme.
It looks like the German has managed to drag proceedings back on track for the latter, and if he can get it over the line he would be delivering an exciting new recruit for incoming boss Julen Lopetegui at a position of need.
The Hammers have been losing attacking options much quicker than they have acquired them over the last couple of years in the David Moyes era.
And there are high expectations of the 18-year-old even if he is, clearly, unproven in the Premier League.
Lopetegui surely still needs a striker or two and quite possibly a replacement for Lucas Paqueta, while there appears to be activity in defence and in central midfield, and based on the early weeks of the summer it is going to be an eventful one.
In other West Ham news, a manager is desperate to sign an Irons man this summer but the club might have to deny him.
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