West Ham United now face transfer battle from Ligue 1 club for Wesley Gassova
Wesley Gassova is wanted by Ligue 1 club Rennes and others across Europe this summer amid links to West Ham, according to Foot Mercato.
The French outlet reported on July 28 that as well as the Hammers being in pursuit of the 19-year-old Corinthians winger, neighbours Chelsea and Ligue 1 sides Rennes and OGC Nice are also interested.
Wesley was included in Dorival Junior’s extended Brazil squad prior to the 2024 Copa America and has reportedly built a reputation as being “among the best dribblers” across 58 matches in the Brazilian Serie A.
The report said the Irons and Chelsea have both submitted offers for the teenager already.
West Ham can’t be drawn into Wesley Gassova bidding war
While the Hammers have a long-standing interest in Wesley and have already tabled a reported £12.6million bid to Corinthians, the Brazilian club want almost double that amount to sanction a transfer [GOAL Brazil, 11 June].
That’s hardly surprising given the money Julen Lopetegui’s side have already splashed out on young Brazilian prospects this summer – spending £25.5m to sign Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.
Committing a similar fee to another 19-year-old Brazilian winger who is untried and untested outside of his home country would represent a risky strategy for the Hammers in this transfer window.
Though an additional £40m has been spent on Wolves captain Max Kilman, there are other areas in Lopetegui’s squad which need more urgent attention than the flanks at present.
Adding Wesley to a side already including Guilherme, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus may not be value for money, and thus the Irons’ next bid – should they make one – has to be ‘take it or leave it’ for Corinthians.
In other West Ham news, one Irons transfer target now looks ‘inevitable’ to leave his club this summer.
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