West Ham United eyeing Brazil international, intermediary hired to follow up interest

The Brazilian news outlet reported on 19 July that the Hammers are joined by two unnamed English sides in the race for the Brazil international, who earned his first cap for his country in a 2-1 defeat to Morocco in May this year.

It said the Hammers and the rival clubs have employed intermediary Emmanuel Adewole to “probe” the interest in the 22-year-old, with the forward having “great potential”.

This could be a really interesting signing if West Ham decide to firm up their interest by making an offer to Corinthians for the Brazilian forward, who the Liverpool Echo reported was previously a transfer target of Everton.

Alberto is one of the country’s top talents after coming through the renowned Santos academy before going on to sign for rival Brazilian league side Internacional, where he scored 30 goals in 85 appearances.

His fine form earned him a move to Zenit St Petersburg in January 2022 for a reported £17.3million fee on a five-year deal, but despite scoring six goals and laying on four assists in 15 games, he was loaned to Corinthians in June 2022 and then made the move permanent in January of this year.

Despite an unsettling year for the forward, he has scored 18 goals and registered nine assists for his side, earning him a call-up to the national team earlier this year.

The Hammers are certainly in the market for a new striker and, if he doesn’t turn out to be too expensive, Alberto could be an excellent signing with potential to improve in the future.

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West Ham United have suffered a blow in their interest in Sofyan Amrabat as he is not keen on a move to the London Stadium, it has been claimed in Italy.

The Morocco midfielder caught attention with his performances in the Qatar World Cup last year and has since been linked with a move away from Fiorentina.

Fiorentina resisted efforts from other clubs for Amrabat in January, but could lose the player this summer, with clubs again testing the water.

David Moyes, whose side have just lost Declan Rice to Arsenal, are keen on signing the 26-year-old and have made enquiries.

However, according to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato, Amrabat does not like the prospect of a move to the London Stadium

Further developments regarding the future of the 26-year-old are expected to happen over the coming weeks.

Amrabat has interest from fellow Serie A club Napoli, though the recently-crowned Italian champions are not keen on matching Fiorentina’s €25m valuation.

Manchester United also have the player in their sights, but are yet to make any move yet.

Having joined Fiorentina in 2020, Amrabat has so far featured in a total of 107 games for La Viola.