Club now in out-of-window talks to sign “incredible” £26m West Ham player

West Ham United’s transfer window may be over, with the UK deadline now been and gone, but certain sides can still conduct business for a long while yet.

West Ham end January window with important Evan Ferguson deal

Graham Potter’s side spent the vast majority of January in pursuit of a new striker, making reliably reported failed attempts to sign Brian Brobbey from Ajax and Ricardo Pepi from PSV Eindhoven.

Eventually, following numerous claims West Ham were among the top contenders to sign Evan Ferguson from Brighton, that transfer came to fruition – with the Irishman putting pen to paper on a dry loan move to the London Stadium.

“Evan has had a frustrating 12 months with injuries, and for him to get back to the level he’s capable of and to continue his development he really needs to be playing regularly,” said Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler.

“This loan gives him that opportunity, and under a manager he knows well. We are looking forward to watching Evan’s progress over the next few months, and we wish him well.”

The 20-year-old comes in as a much-needed extra striking option with Niclas Füllkrug and Michail Antonio out for the long-term. Ferguson, during his best campaign to date at Brighton, racked up six Premier League goals over the course of 2022/2023 and was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year.

With West Ham’s winter business now concluded in terms of incomings, that may not be the case for outgoings, with 2024 summer signing Luis Guilherme attracting interest from abroad.

The Brazilian winger, signed from Palmeiras last year for around £26 million, has barely featured in the West Ham first-team despite arriving with plenty of promise – and this has put a host of foreign sides on red alert.

Botafogo in talks to sign Luis Guilherme from West Ham

Former Brazil international and Disney commentator, Zinho, has shared what he’s heard about Botafogo and their pursuit of the 18-year-old.

Zinho, speaking to ESPN (via Sport Witness), boldly claims that Botafogo are in talks to Guilherme from West Ham, as the Brazilian transfer window doesn’t shut until the end of this month. This is despite Potter personally wanting to keep the youngster 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.”