West Ham United given Wesley Gassova transfer update amid Napoli interest
Wesley Gassova’s potential transfer to West Ham United hangs in the balance after Napoli sent coaches to watch him, according to Diego Mezzogiorno.
Speaking to radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli, as per Area Napoli [28 June], the ESPN Brasil journalist said that the Corinthians winger has been identified as a potential future replacement for Napoli’s star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Hammers and Porto have also reportedly been following Wesley’s progress “for some time”, but Mezzogiorno stated that Napoli could sign the 19-year-old for roughly £8.5million this summer.
Mezzogiorno added that signing the youngster could be a risky move to make, saying that a Napoli coach had neither confirmed nor denied whether the club wanted to bring Wesley to Serie A.
Wesley Gassova transfer fee should alert West Ham United
If Napoli truly are confident of paying just £8.5m to sign one of the brightest attacking prospects in Brazil, the Hammers should definitely be weighing in with an offer of their own to buy Wesley.
Lopetegui’s side have already shelled out £25.5m to sign one Brazilian winger this summer, and with ex-Palmeiras wideman Luis Guilherme secured, they could go one better by adding Wesley to their ranks.
The Irons have devoted much of their early transfer business to pursing South American targets, even sending technical director Tim Steidten to Brazil in person to close the deal for Guilherme [Evening Standard, 29 May].
Wesley was one of the players Steidten reportedly held discussions with in this period, and if Corinthians are willing to sell arguably their brightest talent for such a small fee, the German should be on red alert.
Being Napoli’s anointed successor to Kvaratskhelia would be some mantle to carry for the 19-year-old, but if Wesley wants a chance to play in a new-look Premier League team, the Hammers certainly have the financial means to make this transfer happen.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have identified an Ireland international defender as an alternative to Wolves’ Max Kilman.
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