First question: West Ham made a slow start to signings after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal but have since made some smart moves… can we expect further recruits?
KIERAN GILL: Yep, definitely. West Ham’s top priority is to sign a forward and that is why their technical director Tim Steidten is in Brazil as we speak. He’s flown out there to speak to Corinthians about their striker Yuri Alberto, a 22-year-old Brazilian international.
Despite reports in Brazil suggesting the deal is dead, that’s not what I’ve been told. West Ham are trying to agree a final fee with Corinthians now. Steidten, as much as he loves being pictured on private jets, would not have flown all the way out there if he was not confident this transfer could be completed.
Initial talks over a loan with an option to buy now seem to have transformed into negotiations over a permanent deal. This could have a domino effect on West Ham – if they get in a forward, Michail Antonio could be allowed to leave amid interest from Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.