This might not have been a season West Ham United fans will look back on with a great deal of fondness, limping to a mid-table finish as the pressure on David Moyes reached such a level that the 2023 Conference League champions felt the need to bring an end to the Scot’s largely succesful reign.
But, even when West Ham are at their worst, there are enough weapons in the Hammers arsenal to keep opposition defenders up at night.
Lucas Paqueta, when interested and invested, can pick even the most iron-clad of locks. Jarrod Bowen‘s pace, power and intensity makes him a fearsome presence either on the right or through the middle.
And as Mohammed Kudus sent a shiver down Pep Guardiola’s spine on Sunday – an overhead kick almost to rival Alejandro Garnacho’s threatening to make an otherwise straightforward final day victory into something of a saga – the Ghanaian provided a reminder of his ability to find the net from even the most unlikely of situations.
West Ham United in Wesley Gassova talks
Add one of the brightest talents in Brazilian football to the mix and a frontline of Kudus, Bowen and Wesley Gassova is a mouth-watering prospect indeed.
HITC understands that West Ham have held talks with Corinthians about their 19-year-old speedster. Wesley is valued at around £25 million. And, while The Hammers have only offered around half that at this stage, the dialogue remains open.
Corinthians chief Augusto Melo is due in England for the Champions League final on June 1st and is likely to hold further discussions around the same time.
As South American expert Tim Vickery tells talkSPORT (22 May, 3pm); “The Corinthians president has been in England trying to flog him.”
But what can West Ham expect of Wesley, scorer of seven goals in 63 first-team club appearances? Well, pace and a lot of it. Power too, Wesley not only impressive from a technical standpoint but a physical one too.
The teenager is far more developed physically than, say, Matheus Franca, the £19 million Crystal Palace whizzkid who found the brawn of English football hard to handle.
For Vickery – if there is a South American player he doesn’t know then that player isn’t worth knowing – the only concern is that Wesley would have to add a couple of extra strings to his bow should West Ham agree a deal.
Fulham and Everton also in the mix
“He is one of these inverted wingers that Brazilian football is producing a lot of,” Vickery adds, Wesley cutting in from the left onto his right boot in a manner which could help replace Said Benrahma at the London Stadium.
“The slight difference with him is a lot of those tend to be physically frail. Whereas he is built! He’s like a horse.
“My doubt – and it is only a little doubt because he is very, very promising – once you get into English football, you take away his acceleration space. At the moment, he has got time to run, and he can be a fearsome prospect for defenders.
“Take that space away and he’s going to have to come up with more ‘reduced-space’ skills.
“But he is a very, very interesting prospect and he’s a nightmare for full-backs. If he’s running at you, you’re going to be scared.”
HITC understands that there is also interest from Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Hove Albion and Everton in Wesley. West Ham, however, appear to be at the front of the queue as things stand.
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