EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
West Ham United have been doing their homework on Sporting Lisbon forward Pedro Goncalves, a player Wolverhampton Wanderers sold in 2019, HITC understands.
Pedro Goncalves struggled to make an impact at Wolverhampton Wanderers, who signed him in 2017 and offloaded him in 2019. Goncalves moved to F.C. Famalicão and is now at Sporting Lisbon.
West Ham United scouting Pedro Goncalves
Goncalves is flourishing at Sporting and has established himself as one of the best and most important players for the Portuguese club. He is playing mostly on the left of their attack.
The 25-year-old Portugal international has scored 15 goals and given 14 assists in 39 matches in all competitions this season. HITC revealed in January that Liverpool are showing interest in the attack.
HITC now understands that West Ham’s transfer chief Tim Steidten is working hard on potential summer arrivals, and Pedro Goncalves, nicknamed Pote, is a player of interest. The Hammers have been scouting him in recent weeks.
Lucas Paqueta could leave for Manchester City
West Ham are looking at options to bolster their attack in the summer transfer window, especially as they could very well be faced with the task of replacing Lucas Paqueta.
Manchester City want to sign Paqueta in the summer transfer window. The defending Premier League and European champions had to pull out of a deal for the Brazil international attacking midfielder last summer due to an FA investigation into betting patterns.
Both Paqueta and West Ham hope and expect the investigation to be finalised before the summer. HITC understands that the Brazilian’s camp is ready to pursue legal avenues, if not. The Hammers anticipate that Paqueta could depart this summer.
Paqueta has scored seven goals and given eight assists in 49 appearances in the Premier League for West Ham.
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