Graham Potter may have decision to make after West Ham star ‘agreed’ deadline day exit. West Ham boss Graham Potter almost lost a winger on the final day of the transfer window.
West Ham boss Graham Potter will have to manage an intriguing situation after the closure of the winter transfer window. The Hammers managed to bring in Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton on deadline day, while they also managed to secure a couple of outgoing loans.
Potter will be mightily relieved to get another forward in after losing Niclas Fullkrug to injury, and he knows Ferguson well from his days on the South coast. When it comes to outgoings, there were no significant exits, but there might have been had there been a little more time in the window. According to Maisfutebol, Hammers star Luis Guilherme agreed to leave the club to join FC Porto, and a deal would have been completed had there been more time in the window. Guilherme joined the Hammers from Palmeiras last summer on a £25million deal, but he has only made six league appearances to date. With Guilherme having been willing to leave, it will be interesting to see how Potter deals with the situation, given the 18-year-old is clearly unhappy. Though, it was likely a loan deal, with Porto unlikely to be willing to pay £25million to pull off a deal, while the Iron were not going to be willing to lose money in such a small space of time.
Though, there are reports elsewhere that Potter actually blocked a move involving Guilherme and Feyenoord, so it seems the Hammers boss is more keen on the winger than his predecessor.
When he joined West Ham, Guilherme told ESPN Brasil: “I’m very happy to be signing with West Ham, a Club that trusted in my work. I also want to thank the [recruitment] team, who came to Brazil, not only talked with me but also with my family. They presented the project, and both my family and I liked it. So, I’m very happy to be signing with this Club and hope to contribute as much as possible. I also hope to win titles. If things go well, we have a beautiful journey ahead.
“When they arrived [in São Paulo], they showed me the training centre and explained what they wanted from me, not just from me but involving my family as well. They were enthusiastic, and I immediately wanted to come. I started discussing it with my family and representatives. Once again, I want to thank the team. They travelled from England to Brazil, and I’m very happy to have arrived.
“[The head coach and I] already had a conversation. He showed me his project and I believe I’ll learn a lot from him. He’s coached at the national level in Spain and managed big clubs. I’ve already started talking with him since arriving in London, and there’s much to come. From the beginning, they presented a project focused on winning. That was crucial for my decision because I love winning titles. Who doesn’t? I’m very happy to be here, and I’m eager to represent West Ham.”
