Yuri Alberto to West Ham update shared amid £25m transfer development
West Ham United will not sign Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto in January, according to Brazilian presenter Neto.
Speaking on Os Donos da Bola [17 December], as per Brazilian outlet Soutimao, Neto said Corinthians are planning for Alberto to continue in Brazil until the end of the Premier League season after previously rejecting a £25million offer.
The Hammers were touted with a move for the 23-year-old in the summer before signing Niclas Fullkrug [BolaVIP] and are preparing to reignite their interest in the upcoming transfer window.,
Beto said: “I had said that [Alberto] would be sold for £25m to West Ham, but that will no longer happen, because he will stay until the July 2025 window.
“Corinthians received an offer of €30m (£25m), but did not want to sell Yuri Alberto at that moment.”
West Ham United must move on after Yuri Alberto rejection
While it appears a move for Alberto will be impossible in January, the fact remains that the Hammers must recruit a new forward before the window slams shut.
Michail Antonio is expected to be in recovery for up to 12 months after he was involved in a road traffic accident on 7 December [ExWHUemployee], and concerns remain regarding the signing of Fullkrug – the German striker has suffered with injuries and form during his time in East London.
Therefore, Julen Lopetegui cannot afford to wait until the summer to freshen up his attacking options, with his future still under intense scrutiny.
West Ham are lingering seven points above the relegation zone and saw the three points snatched away at the Vitality Stadium on Monday [16 December] after Enes Unal’s 90th-minute free-kick salvaged a 1-1 draw for Bournemouth.
The Irons have firmly held onto 14th position in the Premier League as they’ve struggled for consistent form, and their 21 goals scored in 16 fixtures is the fifth-worst record in the division.
Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek are the top goal-scorers with four each – an abysmal return for a side that had European aspirations heading into the season.
However, Rangers forward Hamza Igamane has emerged as a genuine target for West Ham after his exploits in the Europa League [Mountakhab] and could be a far more realistic and cost-effective option for Lopetegui, and with plenty of room to develop at only 22-years-old.
In other West Ham news, the Irons could land a Mohammed Kudus upgrade after a Manchester United twist.
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