Mourinho To Hijack Silva in Transfer Tussle?

West Ham United‘s pursuit of Portuguese winger Jota Silva has been thrown into doubt after Jose Mourinho emerged as a surprise contender for his signature, reports ABola.

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui is believed to be keen on Silva, but despite earlier reports suggesting a deal was imminent, the Hammers are yet to submit an official offer.

Since taking the helm at Fenerbahce, Mourinho has reportedly set his sights on Silva as a potential summer acquisition. While Fenerbahce haven’t made a formal move yet, Mourinho’s interest complicates matters for West Ham.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a stellar season with Vitoria Guimaraes in 2023/24, notching 15 goals and 7 assists in 42 appearances.
His release clause is set at €20 million (£17 million), although a bid of €15 million (£12.6 million) could be enough to convince Guimaraes to sell.

West Ham have already begun their summer rebuild with the arrival of youngster Luis Guilherme. However, further reinforcements are needed.

Mourinho’s reputation as a determined transfer negotiator, coupled with his  “Special One” aura, suggests he won’t give up easily on landing Silva.

With both West Ham and Fenerbahce showing interest, Jota Silva has become a sought-after commodity in the transfer market.
While Silva’s exclusion from the Euro 2024 squad allows for a longer negotiation window, West Ham will need to act quickly to avoid being outmaneuvered by the wily Mourinho in the race for the Portuguese winger.