Norwich City look set to sign midfield ace William Carvalho – a name instantly familiar to West Ham United fans.
Four years ago in September 2017, West Ham were pushing hard to sign the Portuguese central midfielder.
Slaven Bilic felt Carvalho – then at Sporting – was the missing piece in his West Ham jigsaw.
But the long-running saga of a transfer – something West Ham fans have become all too accustomed to – turned ugly.
Norwich to sign man at the centre of bitter dispute that saw West Ham owners labelled ‘Dildo Brothers’
It will forever be remembered for a very public spat in which Hammers co-owner David Sullivan was accused of lying and was called a “parasite”.
West Ham responded by pursuing libel action against Sporting’s directors.
But the ultimate insult came when then Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho labelled Sullivan and fellow co-owner David Gold ‘the Dildo Brothers’ – a nod to the pair’s history in the sex industry.
“Where is it? Proof? Now, approaches, for sure,” de Carvalho said about approaches for Carvalho the player as reported at the time by the likes of The Evening Standard.
Bilic said he found jibe funny but lost his job six weeks later
“I’ve had them for almost the whole squad: West Ham supporters call Mr David Sullivan and his brother, the Dildo Brothers…
“These messengers, these offended virgins, the president of West Ham… We must tell the truth!”
West Ham boss Bilic said he found it funny when asked about the Sporting president’s rant (The Guardian).
Six weeks later, with West Ham struggling, Bilic was sacked.
Ex Hammers boss Pellegrini set to sell Carvalho to Canaries?
Now Norwich look set to finally bring Carvalho to the Premier League (Sky Sports).
Ironically Carvalho is currently managed by ex Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis.
Seeing the now 29-year-old in the Premier League may bring a wry smile to the faces of some West Ham fans.
Although as reported last year by Hammers News, de Carvalho was not laughing when he found himself embroiled in a FIFA investigation over Bruno Fernandes’s move to Manchester United.
In other news, The way Luis Enrique announced Spain call-up for Pablo Fornals was simply magic.
And Imminent West Ham signing may not join straight away but could fill vacant shirt – insider.