John Victor makes horrendous error in last game before joining West Ham after third bid green light

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John Victor made a nightmare mistake in what looks to be his final game before sealing a move to West Ham, with the Hammers’ third bid now reportedly accepted.

Eyebrows were already being raised about West Ham’s left-field move for 29-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper John Victor.

Now even more questions will be asked about the bid for the Botafogo star after an absolute howler.

West Ham are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper after Graham Potter brutally released experienced veteran Lukasz Fabianski.

Leicester City’s Danish star Mads Hermansen and Japan international Zion Suzuki have been the top targets for West Ham this summer.

Hammers switch to Victor after baulking at fees for targets

Hammers fans have welcomed links to both players who, at 25 and 22 respectively, could be the club’s number one for years to come.

Hermansen came through at Brondby under West Ham’s new head of goalkeeping, Casper Ankergren.

Hammers News revealed Hermansen was a key West Ham target when reporting on the expected appointment of Ankergren.

Hammers News also exclusively revealed a third goalkeeper had been offered to West Ham in the shape of John Victor.

Our report revealed that super agent Willie McKay was pushing Man United target Victor to the Hammers after Ruben Amorim switched his attentions to Italy star Gianluigi Donnarumma.

At 29 and having only ever played in Europe briefly with Spanish side Real Valladolid, many believe West Ham are taking the cheap option by signing Victor.

Especially as Leicester and Parma want between £20-25m for Hermansen and Suzuki.

The pressure is on West Ham to find a new number one with Alphonse Areola looking increasingly unconvincing – especially during pre-season.

West Ham to get Victor green light after third bid

Supporters have been completely underwhelmed by the prospect of signing Victor, though.

And the calls for a rethink will grow stronger following Victor’s horrendous error in what’s expected to be his last game before joining West Ham after third bid green light.

West Ham have reportedly seen offers of £6.5m and £8.5m rejected for Victor, who has a £10m release clause.

Hammers News understands from a top transfer source that West Ham have now made a new bid worth £9.5 million including bonuses.

And the Irons expect the offer to be accepted because Botafogo owner John Textor is under pressure to raise cash to pay down debt at his other club Lyon.

It is also being reported in Brazil that the player has given the green light to the move and wants to join West Ham.

Globo claims negotiations are advanced between West Ham and Botafogo after the fee was agreed and that a formal deal is now close.

Another major clue Victor is on his way to West Ham as Potter’s fourth signing is that Botafogo are close to signing Bournemouth’s out of favour Neto as Victor’s replacement.

A South American football journalist claims Victor has been outstanding for Botafogo and deserves a big move to West Ham.

But many sceptical Hammers fans, who are already questioning the wisdom and motive of the move, will want the club to reconsider after what Victor did in a 2-0 defeat to Cruzeiro yesterday.

Victor’s horrendous error in last game before joining West Ham

Video footage on social media shows Victor nonchalantly throwing the ball straight to the opposition and they score as a direct result with the Hammers target floundering in his six-yard box when the ball is played across for one of the easiest goals Cruzeiro will score all season.

It is a comically bad blunder – and one which will see Victor arrive at West Ham with huge question marks over his head.

It’s so bad it may even make the Hammers reconsider the move.

Although signing a new goalkeeper for £9.5m instead of £20m will undoubtedly be more appealing to West Ham’s owners regardless of whether Victor is a good fit for the club.

Since Hammers News has learned of West Ham’s third bid, journalist Alan Nixon has reported Hermansen is now the “alternative” to Victor because Leicester are refusing to budge on the £20m price tag ‘which has put the Hammers off’.