West Ham United sent sporting director Tim Steidten to Brazil to scout 19-year-old Brazilian forward Wesley Gassova in action for Corinthians.
According to a report by Brazilian outlet Itatiaia, Wesley Gassova is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Hammers are in the market for an offensive reinforcement heading into the summer transfer window. So, Tim Steidten visited Brazil to scout the 19-year-old Corinthians forward, whose release clause is worth €100 million. Meanwhile, talks over a possible deal will likely begin soon.
Who is Wesley Gassova?
Wesley Gassova Ribeiro Teixeira, better known as Wesley, is one of the best young prospects in his homeland. The country continues to produce highly-rated prodigies by the truckload every year. 2024 has witnessed the rise of attackers like Luis Guilherme, Thalys, and Wesley.
The 19-year-old has spent his formative years with his homeland, graduating from the fabled youth division at Corinthians. The Brazilian wonderkid has already made his first-team debut for the club and has enjoyed a solid start to the 2024 season, with two goals and one assist in 18 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Wesley’s progress at Corinthians has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs, particularly in the Premier League. Meanwhile, West Ham United sent sporting director Tim Steidten to watch the young forward in action for Corinthians against Atletico Mineiro.
London calling?
West Ham United’s interest in Wesley Gassova is understandable. The Hammers are scouring the market for multiple offensive reinforcements. While they need a striker to be the long-term successor to Michail Antonio and have shown interest in players like Mohamed Amoura and Dominic Solanke, they also want someone to play behind the centre-forward.
So, several candidates have emerged on West Ham’s radar, with Wesley Gassova emerging as a viable target. Meanwhile, talks between the East London club and Corinthians might open soon after Steidten ran the rule over the 19-year-old Brazilian forward. However, his release clause of €100 million might complicate matters for West Ham.
It is unclear if West Ham will have the funds to seal a big-money move for Wesley. While they might not have to fork out €100 million to secure his services, the Brazilian forward should still cost a bomb, considering his age profile and potential.
