£9 million Alberth Elis believes he’ll leave Boavista in the summer transfer window with Premier League rivals West Ham United and Southampton going head to head for his signature, speaking to Mais Futebol.
While Neil Lennon can have no complaints about Celtic’s decision to move in a new direction, the former Hoops boss could be forgiven for wondering how things would have panned out had the Glasgow giants not missed out on a couple of highly talented attackers.
Bundesliga phenomenon Silas Wamangituka and the ‘Dutch Zidane’ Noa Lang were targets for Celtic during Lennon’s second spell at the helm.
And, speaking in 2020, former Bhoys hero Emiliano Izaguirre admitted his fellow Honduras international was interested in a move to the green half of Glasgow.
Elis would never arrive, of course, swapping Houston Dynamo for the Portuguese top flight instead.
And, less than 12 months later, A Bola reports West Ham and Southampton have both started talks with Elis’s agent over a deal that could see a 6ft centre-forward with a leap akin to a turbo-charged salmon show off his formidable jump on British shores.
Will West Ham or Southampton sign Alberth Elis?
Boavista want £9 million for Elis, who scored a respectable eight goals in 31 Primeira Liga matches last season.
“I finished the season well at Boavista, that’s why there are teams interested in me,” Elis says.
“Most likely, I will leave Boavista, but for now I have a contract and I’m calm. At the right time it will be official – and everyone will know.
“My goal is to continue to evolve and look for bigger teams. I like the English league.
“For now, these are just rumours. When there is something concrete, I will soon be gone. If I have the opportunity to go to England I’ll take it, but for now there’s nothing.”
It goes without saying then that if West Ham or Southampton step up their interest, Elis will waste no time in packing his bags before hurtling down the motorway to the nearest airport.
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