West Ham United have made a surprise bid of £30 million for 18-year-old Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme, according to Fabrizio Romano. The youngster, who plays for Palmeiras, has yet to score a league goal or register an assist, making the bid a puzzling one.
Romano revealed on his social media page that West Ham are in advanced talks for the transfer of Guilherme, with a package being discussed that includes a £30 million fee and a sell-on clause. The deal is awaiting next steps, but it would be a significant outlay for an unproven player.
This bid is even more surprising given West Ham’s hesitation to pay less than half that sum for Ibrahim Osman in January. The club were reportedly unwilling to meet the asking price for Osman, who has already shown his quality in the Premier League. In contrast, Guilherme is still a raw talent with no experience in European football.
Additionally, the club are also considering a move for Portuguese winger Jota Silva, who has a proven track record of goals and assists. Silva has been impressive for his club and country, and his signing would make more sense given West Ham’s need for a proven attacking threat.
The bid for Guilherme has raised eyebrows, and it remains to be seen if the deal will go through. West Ham fans will be hoping that the club’s transfer strategy pays off, but this move has left many questioning the logic behind it. Spending such a large sum on an unproven player may be a risk too far, especially when there are more established players available in the market.
It’s possible that West Ham see something in Guilherme that others don’t, and perhaps they believe he has the potential to become a world-class player. However, until he proves himself on the pitch, this bid will remain a puzzling one. Only time will tell if West Ham’s gamble pays off, but for now, fans are left wondering what the club’s transfer strategy is.