West Ham have been accused of something close to transfer skulduggery following the dramatic collapse of their move for Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor.
The 29-year-old Brazilian was due to travel to London to complete a medical, with a deal reportedly agreed between West Ham and Botafogo.
However, the move has since fallen apart as the Hammers struck a deal with Leicester City for Danish goalkeeper Mads Hermansenābelieved to be Graham Potterās preferred choice all along.
Now, Football Insider claimāvia a source close to the dealāthat Victor was left stranded at Rio airport with his bags packed, expecting to travel to the UK.
The unnamed source reportedly said: āThe way West Ham have conducted themselves in all of this is nothing short of disgraceful. The player has been left stranded, waiting to travel to finalise the move.
West Ham pulled out, with the deal all agreed, leaving Victor in limbo. Itās not how you should conduct business at the top level.ā
If true, it would seem the Hammers used Victor as a bargaining chip to drive down the price of Potters top target, Hermansen.
You have to feel for the player, who clearly believed he was on his way to the London Stadiumāonly to have the rug pulled out from under his feet.
Botafogo, for their part, have welcomed him back. But things may now be a little awkward, given that theyāve reportedly already signed his replacement.
West Ham are not expected to sign another goalkeeper and will now turn their attention to strengthening the midfield.
Compare this to when Ron Greenwood had the opportunity to sign Gordon Banks. Bobby Moore was keen for him to do so and Banks was ready to join, but Greenwood had already agreed to sign Bobby Ferguson from Kilmarnock, although the deal hadnāt been finalised giving him a dilemma. When asked about it Greenwood recalled that he had to turn down the opportunity since he had already given Ferguson his word. If only football operated like that today.
Spurs tapped Kudus up. Arsenal tapped Rice up. In both cases the players had their āhearts setā on joining those clubs potentially costing West Ham money. No one seemed to consider that underhand, just normal transfer business.
A case of Del Boy Sullivan ethics but, there again, Claret & Hugh people power most probably had a hand in it. I’m sure that reader comments do have influence and many fans wanted Hermansen. However it’s a bit tough on John Victor that ‘it’s not over until the fat lady sings!’
This is more common than what you think itās a negotiation tactic ā¦.. players can change their mind constantlyā¦.. for a better deal to negotiate new contractsā¦. Clubs up there valuations depending on form age and potentialā¦.. how is this any differentā¦. Yes I feel for the player ā¦.. but potter want the keeper we are bringing in now so really that should be the positive
An unnamed source can say pretty much anything they want right? Who knows if itās a fictional source. Could be anyone Weāve gone from Henry Winter calling it a transfer master strike to the unnamed source saying whatever it is they said, allegedly. So somebody somewhere has managed to turn a transfer success story into a reason to have a go at David Sullivan. I think thereās times we could cut the club some slack.
In the short term we get our man. In the long term we may have tarnished our reputation to an extent that will close the door to future deals involving players, clubs, coaches, agents,etc. Integrity may not win the League, but underhand methods don’t seem to be winning us much either at the moment.
Thing is without the internet and 24hr sports news, we have very little idea what happened in the past. Now of course we have literally hundreds of āexpert ā amateur journalists, podcasters and bloggers analysing the business of their specialist subjects. Half of that is dressed up for clicks. In the past weād just be happy with the signing without worrying about the aftermath.
I am reading conflicting reports on West Ham pulled out of deal and Victor decided to stay put?
Do not know what to believe
Disgraceful by Sullivan, and any future deals in the Brazilian market shot to pieces no doubt
If someone comes in for Hermansen last minute, it would serve us right. Too late to return to Victor then
Who was it that we flew over only for him to be intercepted at the airport and driven down to Chelski?
TBH Have West Ham done anything different to the so called “big six” , we have a history of pursuing only to be usurped by those very clubs. If what I have read is correct we got Hermansen for Ā£18m when The Foxes wanted Ā£25m. I feel for Victor to a degree but business is ruthless.
SULLIVAN OUT
Sums Sullivan up no morals, no class dragging the name of West Ham and the fan base through the gutter. Thereās a proper way and a scum way to conduct business and this is wrong on so many levels.
One Word…..Shocking!!!
I don’t know much about either keeper but it seems like we might have got the better choice. However it’s really unprofessional to have done the dirty on the Brazilians that kind of thing doesn’t help the clubs image.
It is not how business deals are conducted…except by spivs.
This is not the way a top club should conduct itself (or any club for that matter). It leaves a sour taste in the mouth, so to speak. Are West Ham the only club that that carry’s out it’s business in such a public manor??
Iām not (quite) old enough to remember this but back in the day Ron Greenwood was offered Gordon Banks but heād already verbally agreed to buy Bobby Ferguson from Kilmarnock. Did he pull the plug on that? No he didnāt! As a true gentleman and a man of his word he went ahead with the Ferguson deal. How things have changed. Glad we have the right man but Iām ashamed of the market trader methods employed.
A kick in the nuts for Viktor and doesn’t boad well for whu’s ethics.
Drags Sullivan to a new low another strike against him.
Would he come to whu for Ā£10m if they decided on a second goalkeeper? Or has all trust gone.
It has been a huge saga even by whu standards.
Could do worse than bringing in Bilal El Khamouss as they’re singing from same hymn sheet as Leicester.
It’s very hard on Victor. But I’d imagine this is not an unusual thing in modern day transfers, especially the later it gets in the window.
A link on newsnow takes you to a story saying that Victor has turned us down to ‘win more titles’ at Botafogo
To be honest gonzo they should not have bought a new keeper in until it was official he might have failed his medical or another.
Thatās harsh. Hopefully Botafogo havenāt completed the signing of the replacement.
Another nasty piece of work from our lovely chairman . I wonder why heās hated so much
The club stinks under this clown, I despair for the poor player as he must be devastated, this is not the way a proper club is run and just when you think he canāt sink any lower he provides proof that he can
Words fail meā¦ā¦I feel ashamed to be associated with this club
Weve got the right man But really OUR CONDUCT IS APPALLING
Mixed feelings with this one. While it’s great to secure Potter’s preferred choice, the Victor situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Very harsh on the guy. However, I suppose that’s how business deals are conducted.
I think you’ve summed it up there mate
Well, how they are done by Sullivan. He drags our name through mud. Unprofessional.
It’ll come back and bite us on the arse
Someone will.do it to us and we’ll get all high and mighty.. not a good look really is it. To think we used to be everyone’s “2nd team”
Gotta feel sorry for the guy. I wonder how our 2 Brazilians will feel.about their countryman being used like that.
I guess that’s .how it is nowadays in football