Many West Ham supporters have been reacting on social media to reports suggesting the Irons will make a bid for Flamengo midfielder Gustavo Cuellar.
The Brazilian radio network Radio Globo are the outlet originally behind the story, after taking the Flamengo fanbase by surprise with claims the Hammers are making moves to facilitate a transfer well below his €70million (£60.7m) release clause.
Radio Globo even suggested we would be willing to offer the 26-year-old a contract worth six times what he earns at the Estadio da Gavea, with their reporter Gustavo Henrique sharing that he will receive a €2million-a-year deal (which equates to £33,339-a-week).
What differed from Henrique’s information to that of his employee’s original claims, though, was that the deal for Cuellar would be at €28million (£24.3m) and not the previously thought €30million (£26m) – we would also be paying the fee over three instalments.
The deal for the midfielder will supposedly be finalised once the Copa Americas comes to a close at the start of July, but Henrique adds that Cuellar would not actually be arriving in Stratford until December – once the Brazilian league season concludes.
Flamengo are seventh in the Brazilian Serie A after the first four rounds of fixtures, having only been able to take seven of the possible 12 points on offer.
Cuellar has also only featured in half of the league games played so far, but has not missed a fixture in the Copa Libertadores this term, where Flamengo have reached the Last 16.
As he does not possess a European passport, and has not been a regular in the Colombia national side, he will have to obtain a UK work permit in order to play for us at some stage next season. A transfer fee around the €30m mark would likely ensure one is awarded, though.
Cuellar has also never ventured outside South America, with his move to Flamengo in 2016 the first time the 5 ft 7 defensive midfielder left his native country.
Here’s how some West Ham supporters reacted to the reports on Reddit…
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