West Ham United have missed out on Yuri Alberto with Russian Premier League champions Zenit St Petersburg confirming the striker’s loan move to Corinthians, as reported by the club’s official website.
Well, that didn’t take long. Five days, to be precise.
Late last week, West Ham reportedly threw their hat into the ring to sign former Internacional frontman – and one-time Arsenal target – Yuri Alberto (UOL). Flash forward to the middle of this week, however, and they are gasping for breath, choking on Corinthians’ dust as the Brazilian giants storm across the finish line.
After just six months in Russia, the £20 million centre-forward is back home. Alberto is joining Corinthians on loan despite interest from a host of other clubs, including a West Ham side who’s pursuit of a centre-forward – some 18 months after Sebastien Haller left for Ajax – continues to drag on with no end in sight.
West Ham United miss out on Yuri Alberto
“Yuri Alberto will move Corinthians on loan for the 2022/23 season,” reads a statement on the Zenit website. “Everyone at the club wishes Yuri Alberto the best of luck for the coming season.”
The Sau Paolo-born 21-year-old was spotted at the Neo Quimica Arena on Tuesday, in the stands for Corinthians’ 0-0 draw with Argentine powerhouses Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores. Alberto has also bid farewell to the Zenit supporters on Instagram, albeit while adding that a return to St Petersburg is not out of the question.
After scoring 19 goals for Internacional across 2021, Alberto took to Russian football like a duck to water. He hit the net six times while setting up another four.
“Yuri Alberto is a striker that, for me, is sensational,” Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves said recently.
“I have no doubt that he would fit in any club in the world. He is 21 years old, he is an excellent player. Of course we want him. We saw an opportunity, we are chasing it and trying to bring improvements to the team.”
It remains to be seen where West Ham turn next in their pursuit of a new number nine. Zenit, meanwhile, have already secured Alberto’s replacement with Mateo Cassierra arriving for £4 million from Sochi.
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