West Ham United are potentially just £5 million away from signing a new striker with the Premier League outfit pursuing a deal for Corinthians frontman Yuri Alberto.
After missing out on the one-time Brazil international at the start of 2022, when Yuri Alberto swapped Internacional for Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg, West Ham can sense an opportunity to finally get their mitts on another who slipped through David Moyes’ fingers around 18 months ago.
According to Gazeta Esportiva, West Ham have had an opening bid of around £16 million rejected ‘immediately’. But that does not mean Corinthians are refusing to entertain a sale in the final week of the European window. Far from it.
UOL adds that, if West Ham return with a new offer of £21 million, the Brazilian giants will cash in on Alberto. The Corinthians board have reportedly agreed to sell if they receive a bid in the 25 million euro bracket this week.
West Ham still hoping to sign Yuri Alberto
Alberto is reportedly keen to join Moyes’ UEFA Conference League champions. Technical director Tim Steidten is in South America in an attempt to force through a deal, the German racking up the airmiles after travelling to the Netherlands to bring both Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus to England from Ajax.
“(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, at West Ham, would give Moyes a younger alternative to 33-year-old veteran Michail Antonio. His performances have often left a lot to be desired this season, however, scoring just four times in 19 games in Brazil’s top flight in 2023.
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