- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
West Ham United have only offered around half of Corinthians’ £25 million asking price for Wesley Gassova with the club’s president due in England for talks over the Everton, Fulham and Crystal Palace target.
After Chelsea agreed a deal that could eventually set them back £60 million for Estevao Willian – the second Palmeiras whizzkid to make a mega-money move in recent times after Real Madrid-bound Endrick – another talented young Brazilian forward could also be heading across the Atlantic.
HITC understands that West Ham United have held talks over a deal for Corinthians much-coveted forward Wesley Gassova.
However, while Corinthians are demanding £25 million, West Ham have only offered some 50 per cent of that fee thus far. As such, this opens the door for Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion and an admittedly FFP-impacted Everton outfit to make approaches of their own.
We have been told that each of the Premier League quartet have also lodged enquiries about Wesley’s availability.
West Ham United yet to meet £25m Wesley Gassova price-tag
HITC also understands that Augusto Melo – the Corinthians president – will be in England to attend the Champions League final between Real Madrid at Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1st. While that is officially the reason for his visit, Melo is expected to hold discussions over Wesley’s future too during his visit to the UK.
A right-footed winger who likes to cut in from the left, Wesley has seven goals and four assists in 63 first-team games for Corinthians.
West Ham, who are set to hire Julen Lopetegui as David Moyes’ replacement imminently and remain keen on the Spaniard’s former Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri, may view Wesley as a long-term replacement for Said Benrahma.
Benrahma departed for Lyon in January. Mohammed Kudus has been tasked with featuring on the left at times but there is a feeling he is more comfortable on the right or through the middle.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, bought Wesley’s fellow Samba starlet Matheus Franca from Flamengo last year and may return to the South American market. Brighton have a terrific track record themselves when it comes to bringing young talents across the Atlantic, Valentin Barco following Julio Enciso, Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.
Fulham, Everton and Brighton in the race
“Wesley is a one-on-one player,” Corinthians coach Antonio Oliveira said in April, hailing the teenager’s ability to beat full-backs in the wide areas. “He is a player who takes us far ahead due to his skill.
“(But) we have to have patience. He’s 18 years old. The best thing for him is to stay here for another year or two.”
With interest growing, and talks being held, Oliveira’s wish for Wesley to stay put until 2025 or 2026 looks likely to go unfulfilled.
“It’s his behaviour on and off the field, he’s learned. Sometimes, I think he’s a little loose, but he’ll learn,” Oliveira added. “Everyone has their own characteristics, he has his own.
“And for his good, staying with us for a while, the better person, the better professional he will be.”
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are closing in on a £12.8 million deal for Real Betis’ one-time Barcelona youngster Chadi Riad.
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