West Ham United may still be closing in on Gustavo Sá, but the midfielder remains with Famalicão for now as the move has yet to be finalised.
Portuguese newspaper Record reports the 21-year-old is continuing to train normally under manager Hugo Oliveira. This is despite widespread reports that a deal worth around €20m (£17.3m) with the Hammers has been completed.
That comes as a slight surprise after we covered claims from O Jogo that Gustavo Sá was preparing to travel to England for his medical ahead of completing the transfer.
That was three days ago. And instead, he remains part of Famalicão’s pre-season preparations.
Still expected to join West Ham
There is nothing in Record’s report to suggest the transfer is in danger. If anything, the Portuguese newspaper continues to present West Ham as the clear favourites to sign the Portugal Under-21 international. The proposed €20m (£17.3m) fee remains unchanged.
For now, Gustavo Sá continues to work with the squad while Famalicão prepare for the new campaign.
The club have already strengthened their midfield this summer. This move is widely viewed as preparation for potential departures, with Sá still the most likely high-profile exit.
It therefore appears more likely that the transfer has simply taken longer than initially expected to complete. Rather than encountering any major obstacle.
Until the paperwork is signed and the medical takes place, Gustavo Sá remains a Famalicão player, even if all signs continue to point towards him becoming a West Ham player in the near future.
