Yuri Alberto’s pursuit by West Ham dates back to 2022 and beyond: The young Corinthians striker disappointed a whole phalanx of Hammers fans by moving to Zenit St Petersburg when David Moyes would have dearly loved him to land at London Stadium.
More recently West Ham were linked again with a rejected offer in 2023 for something around £13 million.
So when thetimes.co.uk reported this afternoon that 24 year old Alberto had agreed personal terms with West Ham, there was a note of caution sounded as West Ham and Alberto have, shall we say, history.
The Brazilian was reported as having agreed personal terms back in August 2023. Our highly placed source within West Ham was quite clear when we approached this afternoon, about the latest rumours that he’d agreed terms, published by the Times today:
“NOT TRUE”. Clearly no room for wiggle room there.
Yet the story persists and a couple of well connected football agents we’ve spoken to today confirm that there is something in the story, even though officially it has been comprehensively rubbished.
To me, that is just more intriguing. Far be it from me to contradict either ‘The Times’ or Claret and Hugh’s impeccable source inside West Ham.
Curiouser and curiouser. Watch this space. Certainly more exciting that watching the 3-5-2 bore-fest we are likely to endure come three o’clock tomorrow.
Doubtless this Alberto is valued at 40-50 million . It’s a good thing Westham don’t have any money to waste again on the ‘best thing since sliced bread’ . Another mediocre players who’ll fail for Westham in the toughest league . Keep reading that Westham will have to practically give away players like Paqueta , Kudus , Soucek , Emerson and Alvarez all Premier League proven and yet pay top dollar for unproven no names . Westham need to employ an experienced DOF to sort out this potential upcoming train wreck of a transfer window before it’s too late .
Who needs an experienced DOF when, as Gonzo says:
“West Ham are entering the most critical transfer window of the modern era with just two men at the helm—Potter and his long-time lieutenant Kyle Macaulay—neither of whom have actively signed a player during previous spells at Swansea, Brighton or Chelsea.”
So what could possibly go wrong! 😱 🤣
I’m more impressed with the use of phalanx personally. Wonderful prose as always, Martin.