West Ham are set to secure the signature of Flamengo and Colombia midfielder Gustavo Cuellar in the summer with the final signatures needed to complete the deal, according to journalist Gustavo Henrique.
The Fut Globo Radio reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that the Hammers have agreed a deal worth £24million (€28million) – to be paid in three instalments – for the four-cap Colombian international but that he will not make the move to east London until December.
https://twitter.com/gustavodaglobo/status/1128115123527266307
The 26-year-old defensive midfielder has made 97 appearances for Flamengo, eight of those coming in the current campaign which kicked off in March.
Good move for West Ham?
The Irons were lacking in midfielders this past season thanks to injury blows to the likes of Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez so on paper it would look like a sensible move.
Of course, the aforementioned duo are set to return to action over the summer and so Manuel Pellegrini might find himself with too many, rather than too few, options in the centre of the park ahead of the new campaign.
Cuellar seems like a decent midfield option – you do not earn international appearances for Colombia without having a certain degree of talent – but you would have thought that had he been good enough for European football someone would have snapped him up already.
Maybe he has been a late bloomer but making that transition from Brazilian competitions to the English top flight is not an easy one and with a £24million price tag, it is an expensive risk to make.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
Gustavo Henrique seems to think so but the Hammers faithful might want to wait before getting his name on the back of their shirts.
Coming from Brazil there will be a number of visa and work permit applications which need to be made which could scupper the club’s plans, although the mega money price tag should help them get over that hurdle.
One to watch with intent, but nothing is done until he is pictured holding up the shirt.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10