West Ham United’s £15.5 million bid for Yuri Alberto has been rejected ‘immediately’ by Corinthians through the Brazilian is open to the idea of kick-starting his career in the Premier League.
Michail Antonio may have rolled back the years on Saturday, bullying Brighton’s backline into submission while producing a performance the peak-Didier Drogba would have been proud of. But Antonio’s evergreen displays will not distract West Ham from the requirement to bring in a younger, more long-term option in attack before this week’s transfer deadline.
Yuri Alberto, 11 years Antonio’s junior, would be exactly that.
The one-time Brazil international is now back home in South America with Corinthians after a short-lived spell at Zenit St Petersburg, but would relish another stab at life on the other side of the Atlantic.
According to Gazeta Esportiva, Alberto is keen on a move to West Ham, though neither he nor his camp will attempt to force their way out. The Hammers may need a bit of pushback from the player himself; Sky Sports reporting that the deal is proving to be a rather ‘problematic’ one.
West Ham United fail with Yuri Alberto bid
Corinthians have already rejected West Ham’s opening bid of £15.5 million out of hand, though it is not certain how much more it would take to twist their arm.
West Ham’s technical director Tim Steidten is racking up the air miles again. He has jetted out to Brazil in an attempt to tie up a deal. During an impressive first summer at the London Stadium, Steidten’s personal touch helped convince Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez to leave Ajax for the UEFA Conference League winners.
Alberto, meanwhile, is a long-time West Ham target. The capital city outfit tried to sign the then-Internacional talisman at the start of 2022. That was before he joined Russian champions Zenit instead.
“(Yuri Alberto) is a spectacular striker,” said his former Internacional coach David Aguirre. “We’ll see Yuri at a big club like Chelsea or AC Milan. Big teams. With Yuri, the same thing will happen as with Alisson at Liverpool, who was also my player.
“He has everything needed to succeed. (He has) quality. He’s an excellent professional, a very good boy.”
Alberto has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season, albeit including a far-from prolific four
in 19 Brazilian Serie A appearances.
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