West Ham are finally on the brink of their first summer signing but a worrying clause has emerged in the deal with Man City for Carlos Borges.
West Ham and Manchester City have shared a fair few column inches over players in the summer transfer window.
The Hammers have been linked with Man City’s Kalvin Phillips, Cole Palmer and Carlos Borges.
And Premier League champions Manchester City made a bid for now departed West Ham captain Declan Rice before he joined Arsenal.
Back in April The Daily Mail claimed West Ham were pondering a summer move for Man City starlet Borges.
The 19-year-old Portuguese winger has made waves at youth level, scoring 24 goals and laying on 15 assists in all competitions last term.
The report claimed West Ham were ‘doing their homework’ on Borges, who is blessed with quick feet, bags of pace and a direct style which has defenders on the back foot.
The Hammers clearly liked what they saw.
We reported on Hammers News yesterday that talks were being held between Man City and West Ham over a deal for Borges.
Initially it was unclear whether the deal would be a loan or permanent move.
But it was widely reported last night that West Ham are set to sign the exciting starlet for £14m.
Hammers fans should not get too attached, though.
Because West Ham are finally on the brink of a first summer signing but a worrying clause has emerged in the deal with Man City for Borges.
According to the likes of The Daily Mail, Man City have insisted on a buy-back clause in the deal.
The report claims the Prem champs have insisted on the clause, as they have done when reluctantly selling other young talents such as Romeo Lavia.
So if the winger does well and Man City want him back, West Ham will be powerless to stop it. The only positive is that will be at a set price, likely at least double what the Hammers are paying now.
West Ham are said to have beaten Borussia Dortmund and other clubs to Borges.
It is unclear who at West Ham has identified Borges as a target. It does not seem like a David Moyes signing. And given West Ham’s interest can be charted back as far as April, it is unlikely the emerging Man City talent is a recommendation from new technical director Tim Steidten.
But one man who will know all about the flying winger is West Ham head of recruitment Rob Newman, who is formerly of Man City.
Newman headed up overseas player recruitment at Manchester City, who brought Borges in from Sporting as an 11-year-old.
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