West Ham United are reportedly closing in on the £25.5m signing of a Brazilian starlet that has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.
West Ham United are reportedly on the verge of signing an in-demand teenager who has been heavily linked with a host of top European clubs.
After four years under the tutelage of David Moyes, the Hammers are beginning a new era with head coach Julen Lopetegui, whose appointment was confirmed last month.
The 57-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with an option of a third, and he will officially begin work at the London Stadium on July 1.
In the meantime, West Ham’s hierarchy are drawing up possible summer transfer targets as they bid to strengthen the first-team squad and bounce back from last season’s ninth-placed finish in the Premier League.
Hammers director of football Tim Steidten has taken control of the club’s transfer dealing and has recently been on a scouting mission in South America, with one of his targets now edging closer to making the switch to East London.
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West Ham closing in on Luis Guilherme signing
According to BBC Sport, West Ham are closing in on the €30m (£25.5m) signing of 18-year-old Brazilian starlet Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.
The report adds that Hammers chief Steidten has been in Brazil negotiating the deal, and despite rumours that their attempts to sign Guilherme were in danger of being called off, it is understood that the deal has almost been finalised.
West Ham are set to pull off somewhat of a coup as Guilherme has been linked with a number of top European clubs including Premier League quartet, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City, while Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest.
A recent report claims table Brentford tabled a £25m bid for the highly-rated midfielder, but it now appears that he has chosen to join West Ham.
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Guilherme the latest Palmeiras product to move abroad
Guilherme only turned 18 in February, but he has already made 45 first-team appearances for Palmeiras, including his senior debut in April last year.
The versatile midfielder helped Palmeiras lift the Brasileiro title last year and also won the Under-20 South American Championship at international level with Brazil.
Guilherme is set to become the latest product of Palmeiras’ academy to make a big-money move to Europe, following in the footsteps of Real Madrid-bound Endrick and Chelsea-linked Estevao Willian.
The teenager could become West Ham’s first signing of the summer transfer window, although the Hammers are believed to be in advanced talks to sign Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno and Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.