Botafogo have emerged as another contender for West Ham United’s Luis Guilherme.
The Brazilian transfer window is open until February 28th and Botafogo are working to secure the 18-year-old’s services.
Former Brazil international Zinho has been speaking to ESPN about Botafogo’s interest in the West Ham player.
The 57-year-old won the World Cup with Seleção in 1994 and multiple trophies with several clubs during his playing career. He’s now a commentator for Disney and claims to have obtained information on Botafogo’s pursuit of Guilherme.
According to Zinho, the Brazilian club shifted their focus from the West Ham man because they weren’t able to go ahead with their negotiations for Dynamo Moscow’s Bitello.
Guilherme joined the Premier League club from Palmeiras last summer and still waiting for his first start. His profile fits Botafogo requirements and Zinho says talks are ongoing in London.
“Botafogo’s management is targeting a lot of young players, that’s [John] Textor’s line of work. Botafogo is very much going for players with a market, not just in terms of sport, getting value for money and making a return,” he said.
“As negotiations with Bitello didn’t go ahead, they turned to Guilherme, a midfielder with a vertical game that Botafogo like, who was developed at Palmeiras.”
“He’s a player that Botafogo has been talking about, it hasn’t materialised, but there’s a strong possibility that he could be the player for the wings. It’s not such a simple, easy negotiation, but it’s quite possible. Negotiations are taking place.
“The information I have is that talks are taking place in London. A player with incredible potential.”
Feyenoord tried to sign Guilherme before the transfer window in the Netherlands closed yesterday. On Tuesday, 1908.nl stated the Hammers decided against letting him leave.
De Telegraaf backs that up and adds Graham Potter ‘absolutely doesn’t want to cooperate with a departure of Guilherme’. That would make it difficult for Botafogo to sign the young attacker.
