West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto, who has reportedly agreed personal terms over a move to the London Stadium.
West Ham United are on the verge of announcing their fifth signing of the summer transfer window after “agreeing personal terms” with Brazilian youngster Yuri Alberto. That is according to a report from Football Insider, which claims that the Hammers are putting together “the final finishing touches” on the deal. Full agreed terms plus an official announcement “could come within 24 hours.”
The Irons have a few days left before deadline day ticks down. And they are pushing to add more firepower to their attack after their latest signing of Mohammed Kudus. David Moyes’s squad is finally coming together, having invested the money from Declan Rice’s blockbuster sale to Arsenal. But the team still looks light in the striker department.
Striker Michail Antonio has turned back the clock for the Hammers this season after he found the back of the net in back-to-back wins against Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion while bullying opposition defenders into submission for fun.
The Jamaican international was linked with an exit earlier this summer with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq registering an interest. But he looks set to remain in East London beyond this summer after David Moyes’ side decided to cut their losses on Gianluca Scamacca instead.
However, Moyes only has Danny Ings and Divin Mubama as backup options in reserve. And with Ings linked with a move to Everton, West Ham are targeting a younger, long-term option in attack before this week’s transfer deadline in Alberto, who could provide competition to Antonio for a starting berth straightaway.
The 22-year-old has been a target for the East London outfit since last summer, with the Irons now looking to get a deal over the line. West Ham United technical director Tim Steidten, who has been busy at work over the past few weeks getting deals done for manager David Moyes, has apparently flown to Brazil to push through a transfer deal for Alberto, who has four years left on his current contract and is said to be keen on joining West Ham this summer.
Alberto only joined Corinthians on a permanent transfer in January after initially joining on loan in June 2022 from Zenit St Petersburg. Despite his short stint with Zenit, Alberto notched six goals and four assists in 15 appearances in what was his first taste of European football, contributing to the side’s 2021/22 Russian Premier League title.
Known for his finishing and ball-striking from distance, Alberto was far from prolific for the Corinthians during the 2023 season, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists in 45 outings across all competitions.
The Brazilian may not have set the world alight in Brazilian Serie A. But he could be a good fit for the Hammers. Very fast and strong, he can play as an archetypal centre-forward and from the right wing, while he predominantly operated as a left winger for Zenit.
Such versatility will surely appeal to Moyes, given the three-pronged attacking lineup implemented by the West Ham United manager, which features goalscoring wingers Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma.
