West Ham must beat London rivals to 'Kudus 2.0' after seeing initial bid rejected

29/04/2024 14:04

After a tumultuous campaign, peppered with highs and lows, West Ham United have a massive rebuild on their hands this summer.

Technical director Tim Steidten has been tasked with restructuring the squad, as well as landing a new manager capable of building on David Moyes’ success at the club.

The board have yet to make a definitive decision on the long-term future of the Scottish manager, but he is expected to leave when his contract runs out at the end of the season.

West Ham have already begun exploring potential managerial alternatives but are also keen on revamping an ageing and declining squad.

The Hammers have set their sights on Corinthians gem Wesley Gassova, who is making waves in the Brazilian top flight this season.

The 19-year-old sensation has notched four goals and an assist in 20 games across all competitions, including a brace in Corinthians’ 3-0 win over Fluminense.

ESPN reports that the Hammers are front-runners to sign the teenager, but they must move swiftly to secure his services, with Tottenham Hotspur also in the mix.

After seeing an initial €15 million bid turned down by the Brazilians, West Ham have increased their proposal to around €18m.

However, the Brazillian club remains reluctant and will require plenty of persuasion to part ways with their highly-rated prospect this summer.

Wesley has risen through the ranks at Corinthians and has established himself as a key member of their first team. 

While his modest goalscoring record may raise eyebrows, his skillset bears a striking resemblance to West Ham’s own Mohammed Kudus – strong, direct, and a constant threat on the run.

Wesley possesses an uncanny knack for creating space, allowing him to unleash powerful shots on goal. 

Additionally, his vision in the final third is a valuable asset, consistently setting up promising opportunities for his teammates.

However, Wesley’s talent remains unpolished. He’ll require time to adapt to the Premier League’s higher intensity and refine his skills but he could be a shrewd long-term acquisition for the Hammers.