Botafogo will need to ‘open the coffers’ if they are to sign Luis Guilherme from West Ham United before their transfer deadline later this month.
That’s according to journalist Jorge Nicola, who reports that West Ham have already turned down a €23m offer from Shakhtar Donetsk for the Brazilian.
Guilherme has been linked with a move away from West Ham throughout the January transfer window after struggling to adapt at the London Stadium since moving in the summer.
Several clubs have shown an interest in him, with Feyenoord working hard on the Dutch deadline day to try and secure a move but ultimately being knocked back by the Hammers.
that was followed by a report from Brazil today which stated that Botafogo intended to try and secure his signature. It was explained in that report, though, that West Ham would not sell on the cheap.
Nicole backs that up and explains that the Hammers have already turned down an offer from Shakhtar for the youngster.
“Botafogo also dreams of hiring Luiz Guilherme, former Palmeiras midfielder who belongs to West Ham, but you can already say that if you really want to take this story forward, Botafogo will need to open the coffers,” he said when discussing the Brazilian side’s transfer efforts.
“This is because West Ham spent €23m fix to sign Luis Guilherme last year and will only accept negotiations for him for similar figures. Recently, Shakhtar Donetsk offered €15m and the answer was no.”
It remains to be seen, then, whether Botafogo can make an offer for Guilherme that will tempt West Ham into negotiations.
The Hammers seem resistant to letting him go, with it explained in the Netherlands that Graham Potter had blocked the move to Feyenoord when they pushed on Tuesday. Previous reports had stated this was because of an injury to Crysencio Summerville.
All indications are they would now prefer to keep the Brazilian, although a strong offer from Botafogo could change that. It’s up to them to put the money on the table and tempt the Hammers before the Brazilian transfer window closes later this month.
