‘West Ham agree personal terms with striker Yuri Alberto’
West Ham have agreed personal terms with talented Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto ahead of a potential summer transfer.
The number nine position has been a problematic one for the East London side for several seasons now.
Time and time again, the club have sought a solution to their striking problems, with Niclas Fullkrug the latest forward brought in with plenty of expectation, but the German’s most notable moment for the club came when he recently criticised the Irons’ draw with Southampton.
With Michail Antonio out injured and not expected to return anytime soon ahead of the expiry of his current contract, the Hammers may have found their solution up front, having agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old Alberto, according to The Times.
West Ham agree personal terms with Yuri Alberto
West Ham were linked with a £20million move for Alberto in January, but a deal failed to materialise in that window.
The Brazilian striker’s agent, Andre Cury, has since confirmed there had been several proposals for the forward [Globo], including from the Irons, Wolves, and Real Betis in Spain.
Alberto was the top scorer in the Brazilian Serie A last season and has played once for his national team in 2023, but it appears the Irons still must agree a fee with his club.
With the club failing to impress this season and already on their second manager, having appointed Graham Potter to replace Julen Lopetegui, the Hammers are expected to be busy this coming transfer window.
West Ham spent over £120million [transfermarkt] on transfers last summer, but of a group including Fullkrug, Maximilian Kilman, and Crysencio Summerville, only Aaron Wan-Bissaka has proven himself good value for money.
Yuri Alberto primed to become top Premier League striker
Football Insider Verdict
As Europe’s football clubs become increasingly desperate to steal a march on one another, Brazilian footballers have been leaving the Serie A earlier in their careers than ever before.
Neymar, for example, remained at Santos for four years, making 177 appearances for his boyhood club before departing for Barcelona.
Estevao Willian, who has been compared to the former PSG man, is set to join Chelsea after just 56 appearances for Palmeiras, whilst West Ham’s own Luis Guilherme joined the club last summer after playing 40 times for the same side.
Alberto made a similar move early in his career, switching sunny Brazil for the harsher conditions of Russia, when he joined Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2022.
However, the striker quickly found himself returning home, this time to Corinthians, after struggling in Russia.
Alberto has blossomed into one of Serie A’s star strikers. Six feet tall but technically gifted, his physique combined with deadly finishing and plenty of first-team football at a young age make him primed for a second shot at European football.