Gustavo Sa | Reality of West Ham’s plan to sign their new wonder kid

Ten days ago it seemed nailed on that Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Sa was signing for West Ham United: Indeed, Portuguese media had him ready to depart, medical booked – and yet there’s still no sign of the 21 year old taking any concrete steps towards a move to England.

Seemingly , all has gone quiet despite his home club, Portuguese side Famalicão acknowledging that they might well lose him this summer. ‘No sign that the move has collapsed’ suggest some of the original news sources who claimed he was West Ham bound.

Hardly proof that it is still ‘on’.

In their own in-depth article this morning, sportwitness.co.uk have asked the same question:

“What is happening with West Ham’s Gustavo Sá deal?”

“The reports paint a very different picture from the one emerging at the beginning of July.

The expectation of an imminent medical has disappeared from the Portuguese media. References to a completed agreement have gradually been replaced by more cautious language about approaches, possibilities and a player who remains expected to leave. No one is willing to say exactly when he might go.

At the same time, there is still nothing to suggest the transfer has collapsed.

Famalicão’s president has openly acknowledged interest. Carlos Carvalhal admitted he would be surprised if Gustavo Sá remained at the club because “only if the clubs are asleep” would players of that quality stay. Both Record and O Jogo continue to present West Ham as the leading destination.

The latest omission from the friendly could indicate the midfielder is being protected while the transfer is finalised. Equally, as Record points out, there has been no official explanation for his absence.”

So that’s as clear as mud then. The only thing that is certain is that there’s be no talk from the West Ham end of a Sá deal: Whether it was ever really ‘on’ depends on which media outlet in Portugal you believe.

The longer the saga continues, the more you’d suspect either West Ham or the player have moved on: However, only when West Ham sign an alternative playmaker can the Sá transfer really be considered ‘dead in the water”.

As we are all painfully aware the Irons have no signing for their midfield playmaker role and a burning need to bring in a player of Sá’s stature. So ‘unlikely but, still, not impossible‘ would seem a sensible categorisation of that particular transfer story. Sadly.