The Hammers have been linked with one of the world’s brightest young talents, a £50 million-rated defender. West Ham scouts were reportedly present during Benfica’s recent 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon to spy on three players.
West Ham are reportedly interested in Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio as well as Benfica’s Joao Neves and Antonio Silva. However, scouts from other Premier League clubs were also present at the Estadio do Dragao.
Inacio’s night was ruined when he was sent off during the game. The centre back was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rafa Silva six minutes into the second half, and he was sent off.
While Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea (can they really buy any more players?) and Arsenal have been linked with the aforementioned trio, 90mins reports that representatives from Spurs and Newcastle were also present.
Manchester United are thought to have a purchase option on Inacio, though this is difficult to confirm given the variety of reports. All capped by Portugal, Neves, Silva, and the highly sought-after Inacio are expected to spark a significant battle for their signatures over the next two transfer windows.
Inacio, in particular, is regarded as a rising star in world football, with no obvious flaws in his game. However, it is unclear whether West Ham, under Tim Steidten’s management, would be willing to make a significant financial commitment for a central defender who is likely to command a high fee.
While West Ham’s scouts may have been watching these players in Portugal, it appears unlikely that the club will sign all three foreign players. West Ham will need to keep a close eye on our representation of homegrown players in the coming season. With the expected departures of Conor Coventry, Aaron Cresswell, and Ben Johnson, it is critical to prioritize the signing of British players.
