The richest deal ever, West Ham Tables Record-Breaking Offer to Land Striker – You Won’t Believe the Figures
West Ham United have shifted their focus to a new transfer target in their ongoing search for a striker, offering double the market valuation to secure their man. According to reports from Brazilian sources relayed by South American football expert Tim Vickery, the Hammers are looking to Brazil for solutions after failing to land Jhon Duran from Aston Villa despite making substantial offers.
The club had reportedly submitted bids of £40 million and a subsequent £57 million for Duran, but both were rejected by Villa, forcing West Ham to officially concede defeat. In a statement, the club acknowledged they must “move on” and seek alternatives as they work to bolster their attack for the second half of the season.
West Ham’s Striker Crisis
The need for reinforcements in the striker position has become increasingly urgent for new manager Graham Potter. Michail Antonio has been ruled out for the rest of the season following a car crash that has cast doubt on his ability to return to top-flight football. Meanwhile, Niclas Füllkrug, signed as a potential solution, is sidelined for another three months, having just come back from a previous injury layoff.
This leaves Potter with only the aging Danny Ings as a recognized senior striker, putting immense pressure on the squad. West Ham are now exploring options as far afield as South America to resolve their growing issues in attack.
Turning to Brazil: Igor Jesus and John Textor’s Involvement
West Ham initially turned their attention to Igor Jesus, a 23-year-old forward from Botafogo. Jesus has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time, and Botafogo’s American owner, John Textor, had previously expressed willingness to sell him to a top-flight English club. However, Textor’s priorities have shifted. He now plans to retain Jesus for the Club World Cup in June and July, hoping the striker’s performances on a global stage will further increase his value.
While this strategy may benefit Botafogo, it has left West Ham empty-handed once again. Sources suggest the Hammers had engaged in talks to sign Jesus and were even willing to offer double his estimated value, but Textor’s decision to delay the sale forced the club to pivot.
Yuri Alberto Emerges as a Priority
With Jesus off the table, West Ham have revived their long-standing interest in Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to East London in each of the last four transfer windows and is now back on their radar. Reports indicate that West Ham are prepared to offer £20 million to secure Alberto’s services, a figure that is more than double Corinthians’ valuation of the player.
Alberto has an impressive pedigree, having been the joint top scorer in the Brazilian league last season. Known for his pace and ability to play on the shoulder of the last defender, he has also gained valuable European experience during a stint with Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia. However, his time in Europe was cut short due to the war in Ukraine, prompting a return to Brazil.
According to Vickery, Corinthians are reluctant to sell Alberto, but the size of West Ham’s offer could make the deal difficult to refuse. Speaking on Sky Sports Transfer Talk, Vickery explained: “If there really is £20 million on the table for Yuri Alberto, then West Ham could well be making an offer that Corinthians can’t turn down.”
A Crucial Decision for West Ham
The pursuit of Alberto highlights the urgency of West Ham’s situation. After an underwhelming summer window, the club is under pressure to deliver reinforcements in January. With Antonio and Füllkrug unavailable, and Ings struggling to shoulder the burden alone, the Hammers need a reliable striker to salvage their campaign.
While Duran and Jesus have slipped through their grasp, West Ham’s willingness to offer significant sums for Yuri Alberto underscores their determination to resolve their striker crisis. Whether they succeed in bringing Alberto to the Premier League remains to be seen, but the coming days are likely to be pivotal as the transfer window nears its conclusion.
