Whist the main focus has switched to the Paquetá verdict, of course, West Ham have a transfer window to progress and some five weeks before the summer window closes. The lack of recruitment in the midfield as both a worry considering how poorly it performed last year and a priority – if the club can bring in players on a budget.
Reportedly the Hammers’ midfield recruitment had been on hold awaiting the outcome of the FA verdict. Hopefully the groundwork is complete to press on next week.
No wonder, in view of the current state of the Irons’ midfield options, there was such interest in the Douglas Luiz story when it emerged last week. A hugely talented player and experienced Premier League performer, he’d be a big upgrade on West Ham’s midfield engine room and any chance of bringing in the 27 year old would surely have been seized on by several clubs other than West Ham: It seems now, according to juvefc.com, that Nottingham Forest along with Everton and Manchester United are suitors.
Luiz to West Ham is looking unlikely
And indeed, the price which Juventus seek for their want-away midfielder is going to be a deal-breaker for West Ham: Following his non-appearance at training it is pretty clear Luiz is set on an exit but with the figures mentioned it won’t be to east London:
“The 27-year-old cost [Juventus] €50 million last summer…… Therefore, the player’s current book value is €40 million, so the club isn’t willing to go below this figure in order to avoid registering a capital loss.
The Roman newspaper also identifies West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Everton as Luiz’s main suitors, while Manchester United could potentially enter the race at some stage.”
With other top Hammers targets Harvey Elliot and James McAtee apparently still available – if West Ham cannot loan ‘Luiz with an option to buy’ at significantly less than 40 million it does seem hugely unlikely that the deal will get off the ground.
Douglas Luiz appears to me to be another on Sullivan’s Wishlist, and not someone that Potter would choose. He may be a more welcome “Sullivan gift” than Callum Wilson, but €40m+ for the 27 year old, probably on a 5yrs contract – maybe similar to the one he has with Juve that he apparently doesn’t want to honour!? – doesn’t seem the type of character we need.
Pursuing Elliot/McAtee would be a better investment with the potentially greater profit on resale.
So if we cannot afford Luiz at 40m euros then I would assume that Elliott is out of reach and so too McAtee.Or do we have money I don’t know about.
We should just go and get Harvey Elliott much younger hungry to play with the England full team and a better all round player