Tottenham Hotspur are not in for Igor Gomes but Premier League rivals West Ham United have made a bid for the Sao Paulo star, agent Wagner Ribeiro told Yahoo Sports Brazil.
With one of the biggest clubs in Brazilian football under pressure to sell at least one of their key players before the end of the month, English interest in a man nicknamed the ‘new Kaka’ could hardly have come at a better time.
But while West Ham have indeed expressed an interest in the slaloming, stylish Gomes, the London giants are not, as it stands, willing to pay the sort of money Sao Paulo want for their much-coveted Brazil U23 international.
According to Wagner Ribeiro, one of the most influential agents in South America, the Hammers only want to sign Gomes on loan, albeit with an option-to-buy clause included in the deal.
That is not much use to Sao Paulo, however.
With a number of incoming signings stuck in limbo until funds are freed up – including former West Ham flop Jonathan Calleri – Sao Paulo need cash and they need it now.
“(West Ham) wanted Igor Gomes on loan, with a financial compensation,” said Ribeiro.
“That is not interesting for Sao Paulo, nor for the player.”
Will West Ham win over Igor Gomes?
Reports last week had named Tottenham as rival suitors for the 22-year Gomes, suggesting that Spurs could be about to blow West Ham’s offer out the water.
It is understood that Sao Paulo would be willing to listen to bids in the region of £9 million.
But Ribeiro insists that speculation linking Gomes with a switch to N17 is just that – speculation.
“There’s nothing,” the agent said when asked about Spurs’ reported interest.
Gomes scored a 93rd-minute winner in Sao Paulo’s 2-1 victory over Gremio on Sunday. If that is his final appearance for the club, there are certainly worse ways to bow out.
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