IN yesterday’s Claret and Hugh, in between the Potter arrival and Lopetegui departure, we wrote about Hammers’ attempts to loan their target striker from Benfica. Arthur Cabral, the Brazilian 26 year old, has been on West Ham’s radar for some time and this is not the first time they’ve attempted to secure his services.
The Player has also been the subject of interest from Torino this month. This may well be the reason that Benfica have rejected West Hams overtures for a loan move (maisfutebol.iol.pt) and have decreed that they will only part company in January on a permanent deal.
The fact that Benfica’s required ‘sale’ price required is now ‘between €15m and the €20 million they paid for him‘ in 2023 suggests they’re not over enamoured with him and hoping to move him on with two clubs sniffing around.
Transfermarkt.com list Cabral with a value of €12 million which is usually on the conservative side for a player – but when more than one club seeks the same player, the value usually exceeds the web site’s estimates.
Quite what the brains trust of Potter, Steidten and Sullivan will decide is difficult to predict – he’s a great price, decent quality but ultimately probably won’t set the world on fire. Mind you, I remember reading a scouting report about Alexander Isak, then at Real Sociedad, in 2021 saying exactly the same thing.
With other strikers still under consideration it will soon be decision time for West Ham: Yuri Alberto rejected a move but Latte Lath, Igor Jesus, Evan Ferguson, Santiago Jiminez, and now Cabral have all been linked. Now that Potter is in situ, time to get the deal done!
Mac says:
Bring back Jordan Hugill!
Cabral does not score many goals, but then he is often a sub who comes in during the second half. He has a high work ethic and does not coast. For that price he would make a good second line striker, but would probably would not score 25 goals per season.
I think it’s time to give Graham a chance to work it all out, the boys only been in it 5 mins and you lot are suggesting this and recommending that. What’s on your CV as far as football knowledge goes, I’m guessing, but probably beggar all, so embarrassing, if you met him personally you would probably clam up and be speechless
Get Ferguson in would be my choice, think he is quality and will get better in the right environment
He’s injured dude, we have just had 4 months of a German injury prone striker, we don’t want another!
Latte Lath would be a far better option. 18 goals in 36 games last season and already scored 10 plus 2 assists this season. Same age at 26 as Cabral who has only scored 5 goals in 20 games this season. Football insider reported that Middlesbrough will hold out for £15 million plus and West Ham, Ipswich and Leicester interested.
A fool and their money are easily parted!
Now that sulli is back in charge of transfers we can enjoy the spectre of yet more dross trudging around up top, how many are we up to now 52 strikers he’s signed
WTF no, definitely not buzzing about Cabral, Rashford or any of so called target’s, everything needs to be put on hold. Let Potter take a breath, get a result at Villa, assess the squad, find out who actually wants to stay or leave and then discuss possible replacements and reinforcements. Let’s not try running before we can walk into another crisis and more turmoil.