Considering that West Ham United announced a new signing on Thursday lunchtime – Venezuela international Keiber Lamadrid unveiled – the small matter of Saturday’s clash with Sunderland had to wait during Nuno Espirito Santo’s press conference.
In an intriguing presser, Nuno confirmed that Lucas Paqueta would not be available as he looks to secure a return to Flamengo.
The West Ham United boss indicated that Callum Wilson would in fact stay beyond the window, while insisting that Crysencio Summerville has a lot ‘more’ to offer after goals in his last two games.
The first name put to Nuno by the media today was not Wilson, Summerville or even Paqueta, though. It was Keiber Lamadrid.
A name precious few in East London would have recognised only seven days ago, when the 22-year-old didn’t even have a Wikipedia page. He does now, of course.
But do not expect an instant impact, a la FA Cup hero Taty Castellanos. Lamadrid will represent West Ham’s under-21 side when he is fit enough to do so.
Until then, the club have confirmed on their official website that the reigning Venezuelan Young Player of the Year will be tasked with building up his sharpness. He has not played a competitive minute since the Venezuelan campaign concluded in November.
Keiber Lamadrid joins West Ham United but Nuno Espirito Santo has other priorities
As far as Nuno Espirito Santo is concerned – while Claret and Hugh have indicated that Lamadrid is viewed internally as a ‘gift’ provided by David Sullivan – his priority remains bringing in players capable of exploding out of the blocks.
“He’s a young player that the club brought in,” Nuno says of Lamadrid. “He’s in pre-season [mode], so he is not really ready to play. But we will assess him and see.
“The club normally seeks players for the future; young players who can help us. What I am focused on is now. The club knows the profiles that we need.”
Lamadrid, while actually older than the likes of Mateus Fernandes and El Hadji Malick Diouf, perhaps belongs to the same group as, say, Dimitri Colau or Daniel Cummings. A young player with senior experience, but one who will be tested at reserve level before he is deemed ready for first-team action.
Clearly, signings of Lamadrid’s ilk are not at the top of Nuno’s shopping list.
“[The West Ham board] need to rebalance the squad, bring us a lot of options and energy,” the 51-year-old demands. “We keep working. There are still nine days to go in the transfer window. Still working.
“The profiles are clear. We need to rebalance and give more options. Of course, I’m not going to tell you the positions because that will create noise, but we are working.
“As I said, there are still nine days to go.”
Charlie Cresswell and Adama Traore among the Hammers’ top targets
In those nine days, Nuno may look to add a new goalkeeper, a winger, a central midfielder and at least one defender. Those Antonin Kinsky – Mads Hermansen swap rumours are being played down internally, though the door swings open for Brazil international Bento Matheus.
Hammers News can confirm that talks with Fulham regarding Adama Traore are ongoing.
West Ham reportedly made a bid for Metz’ Alpha Toure, as well. And although Charlie Cresswell of Toulouse remains the dream addition for many, Eric Dier, Ethan Pinnock, Jamaal Lascelles, Roggerio Nyakossi, Bright Arrey-Mbi and El Chadaille Bitshiabu have all joined a long and varied list of potential alternatives.
The West Ham board describe Keiber Lamadrid as a ‘low-risk’ signing. A cheap bet which could yet trigger the jackpot. Nuno, though, cares less about risks and more about so-called sure-things. Their very Premier League survival depends on it.
“It is a low-risk, potentially high-reward lottery ticket signing,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s board exclusively told Hammers News.
“It is tiny wages and a tiny loan fee, with an extremely cheap option to buy for just £1 million.”
No matter how exciting Lamadrid’s future may be, it’s the present that counts.
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