According to West Ham Football, a nocturnal hijack attempt was made on the club’s bid to sign Luis Guilherme.
The Twitter account of Six Foot Two editor Sean Whetstone stated early on June 5 that an undisclosed party had made a late bid for the 18-year-old Palmeiras forward, but the Irons were still working to finalize the transaction.
Guilherme’s Hammers move appeared to be on the verge of failure on Monday [HITC, 3 June], but was revived when Tim Steidten arrived in Brazil to work on it in person [GOAL, 4 June].
However, BBC journalist Nizaar Kinsella (3 June) stated that the club was still concerned about a late hijack attempt, which has now been confirmed.
Whetstone wrote: “The West Ham deal to recruit 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras has encountered another stumbling block overnight, with yet another club attempting to make a late bid.
“The new team, whose identity is unknown, is attempting to steal the Hammers deal. West Ham are still trying to finalize a deal for the teenager, although there is still competition for his signature.
“It’s never done until the player signs his contract.”
Tim Steidten battling to win transfer race for West Ham
It is hardly a good sign that an 11th-hour hijack attempt has arrived, but the Irons should not have been taken off guard if they were apprehensive about this happening.
In principle, if the deal has been brought back from the edge before, it may be revived again, and it is hard to assess the threat until the new rival’s identity is revealed.
Guilherme must be interested in joining West Ham for Steidten to have come this close to closing the deal, therefore the hope at the London Stadium is that the German can capitalise on that despite the level of competition.
The West Ham deal to sign 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras has hit yet another snag over night with yet another club trying to make a late bid.
The new club whose identity is unknown is trying to hijack the Hammers deal.
West Ham are still trying… pic.twitter.com/1PMMgOD5Gf
— West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) June 5, 2024
If he can get this move over the finish line, it appears to be a significant accomplishment, but that is far from guaranteed.
And if this move goes the same way as Flamengo’s Patricio Bruno, which fell through despite appearing to be finalized, it will definitely be a blow to the club and its fanbase.
There appears to be no shortage of West Ham activity in the market at this early point of the summer as the Julen Lopetegui era begins, but the club is still battling to get the transfer window underway.
