The chances of Marseille midfielder Gerson landing in the Premier League with West Ham United appear to have increased with Flamengo admitting that they are struggling to strike a deal for the Brazilian, via L’Equipe.
The sorry end to Gerson’s Marseille career serves only to remind us all of the fickle nature of life at the top. Only a few months ago, the former Roma and Fiorentina midfielder was in the form of his life under Jorge Sampaoli, scoring a career-best 11 goals while firing L’OM into the Champions League.
Flash forward to November, and that very same player is little more than an afterthought under new Marseille coach Igor Tudor. Gerson played just 19 minutes in the final four Ligue 1 fixtures before the World Cup break. He missed the 3-2 win over Monaco altogether.
And, according to L’Equipe, Gerson has already bid farewell to his Marseille team-mates before boarding a flight to Rio de Janeiro. And no one says goodbye if they are expecting to return, right?
The problem is, Gerson’s return to Brazil looks destined to be short-lived, a proposed move return to Flamengo hitting the buffers.
West Ham United in talks to sign Marseille and Brazil midfielder Gerson
“There have been discussions. But we are very far from reaching an agreement,” explains Flamengo president Rodolfo Landim.
“It’s a very complicated operation to carry out. Flamengo loves Gerson and we would like to have him with us. But, given how things are developing, I have the impression that it will be very difficult (to complete the transfer).”
Marseille want £13 million. A fee too rich for Flamengo’s blood. Hence why agents operating on behalf of Gerson are now in the process of sounding out alternative destinations. West Ham is one.
Goal say that talks between West Ham and the 25-year-old’s representatives are ongoing. There is, however, also the prospect of a reunion with Sampaoli at Sevilla.
“We’re going to look elsewhere. (An exit is) inevitable,” Gerson’s father tells L’Equipe. “If Gerson is no longer important for OM, then we’ll find a club who values him.
“I can’t hide that we’re angry. This is a very problematic situation. How can a player who is in full possession of his skills be left out overnight, with no chance to show his talent? It’s incomprehensible.
“We are really sad because this coach (Tudor) prevents us from dreaming of a place in the squad for the World Cup with Brazil.”
As you might expect given his lack of minutes, Gerson did not make the cut for Tite’s 26-man squad for Qatar.
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