By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Claret & Hugh can exclusively reveal this afternoon that West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Bayern Munich target Franculino Djú.
Djú plays as a forward for Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland and the Guinea-Bissau national team and is regarded as one of the hottest young properties in European football.
C&H spoke to a source today who indicated that a deal may have been possible, but West Ham had concerns over the 22-year-old’s injury record.
“It may have been possible to sign Franculino, but I think West Ham are looking elsewhere.”
West Ham offered huge opportunity
Therefore, it appears the Hammers are pushing ahead with moves for other targets, including number one choice Troy Parrott.
Earlier today, AZ Alkmaar rejected West Ham’s opening offer for Parrott, although the club are expected to return with an improved bid.
However, as Claret & Hugh revealed this afternoon, Parrott is not the only striker being considered, with a well-placed transfer source telling us: “It’s not just Parrott, he is one of a number of targets.”
If the Franculino information is accurate, and I believe it is, then there is a genuine opportunity to sign one of the hottest young striking talents in European football.
It is C&H’s understanding that the striker was looking for guaranteed football and would have been prepared to join West Ham provided a non-promotion clause was inserted into any agreement.
£25m could land Franculino
FC Midtjylland are understood to be willing to allow Djú to leave for around £25m and do not wish to hinder a career which saw the likes of Barcelona and Juventus show interest before his injury.
The striker holds dual Portuguese nationality having come through Benfica’s academy system.
It is now believed he is looking at moving to a Premier League club playing in European competition, which could make West Ham’s task considerably more difficult should they decide to revisit the opportunity.
For the moment, Parrott remains the striker West Ham are actively pursuing, but the fact a player of Franculino’s reputation has been offered to the Hammers certainly makes this one worth watching.
Sounds like we’re being used to get the price up to another club.
The wonder kid…..I thought nate the great was joining us for real then……..dont ever do that again 😱 ⚒️⚒️⚒️
The wonder kid…..I thought nate the great was joining us for real then……..dont ever do that again 😱 ⚒️⚒️⚒️
We could have signed Brian Brobbey and didn’t for injury concerns, he probably would have kept us up last season, if Dju is available we should take a look at him and assess the injury, though its equally possible its just agents keeping their player in the news to alert bigger teams.
So he’s looking for a move to a PL club with European football. Kind of rules us out then.
Has Tevez had any kids? Now that would be a wounderkid
Good headline to get pulses racing just need to stretch imagination.
Whu don’t do wonder kids.
Why would he want to lower himself?
Heard rumour Endricks is on his way.
Offer £10m for Jordan James, £20m for Troy Parrott, and reserve £30 (?) for Disasi -if he finally agrees to return to WH- secure the players needed now, and be done with it!
Wonderkid? He’s 22 FFS. A replacement for wonderkid Callum Marshall.
Savio anyone?
Looks a great finisher, not sure about his overall play and workrate. He missed a lot of games last season with injury, but hopefully its just a blip and not the start of things to come.
A ‘wonderkid’ is the last thing we need. When did one of those work out for us and not waste a huge amount of money.
We need established pro’s right now.
Mateus Fernandes? He was pretty good …