It has been announced that West Ham have secured an unusual Brazilian deal and it could be precursor to major signing coup.
Tim Steidten was sent packing by West Ham back in January and was blamed for the club’s transfer window failings.
The main reason the Hammers let Steidten go was Graham Potter’s arrival as Julen Lopetegui’s replacement.
Potter has since revealed that a key factor in him taking the West Ham job was being backed to bring Kyle Macaulay to the London Stadium from Chelsea.
The Hammers paid the Blues £1.2m for Macaulay’s services and made him the club’s new head of recruitment.
Macaulay’s worldwide West Ham web of targets
The Scot had worked with Potter at each of his four clubs so far and the pair have a huge task on their hands after being reunited at West Ham.
Macaulay arrived in east London armed with a dossier of top young talent he feels will be perfect for Potter’s West Ham overhaul.
That started in earnest last week when senior quartet Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings were released.
In the case of Cresswell, Fabianski and Coufal – Potter showed a brutal ruthlessness which suggests he is confident the club will be replacing those players this summer.
West Ham secure unusual Brazilian deal
West Ham confirmed midfield and a new striker are top priorities in a transfer update this week.
Macaulay has his eyes across world football in the search for top young talent.
That was proven by his time at Chelsea and Brighton.
Now West Ham have secured an unusual Brazilian deal and it could be a precursor to a major signing coup.
West Ham have signed an agreement aimed at increasing their presence in Brazil.
According to O Globo, the Hammers have secured a deal with Destra Brand Licensing to increase their presence in the Brazilian market.
Destra say their company mission is to boost development of the brand licensing market in Brazil.
Agreement could be precursor to major signing coup
It’s claimed West Ham are looking to build on their profile in Brazil.
But the only way that would work in real terms is if the Hammers intend on signing more players from that particular part of the world.
After all, why would people in the south American country be interested in the club unless there was a steady stream of Brazilian stars following in the footsteps of Lucas Paqueta and Luis Guilherme?
It can surely be no coincidence then that a top midfield target identified by Potter is one the most highly-rated young Brazilians right now.
Hammers News revealed this week that Corinthians and Brazil Under-20 prospect Breno Bidon is being lined up by Macaulay for West Ham’s overhaul.
West Ham want to build on Brazilian profile with Bidon move
The news came on the same day West Ham’s Brazilian deal was secured.
Bidon helped Brazil win the South American Under-20 Championship this year and has become an established star for Corinthians – a club the Hammers know well.
West Ham famously signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano from Corinthians and brought in Fabian Balbuena from the same club.
Bidon could be next and shrewd Macaulay clearly knows what he is doing as it has been confirmed the left-footed midfield dynamo has a release clause of just £13 million.
West Ham can only spend what they make from sales this summer.
The club has previously stated they will need to be ‘clever’ with their dealings.
Signing up to increase the claret and blue presence in Brazil before going after one of their top emerging talents is certainly that.
West Ham sorely lack players who can break the lines.
It has been a major problem since David Moyes’ time at the club. So to see Macaulay has identified that already is hugely encouraging.
Because Bidon drives through the lines in the heart of midfield and commits opposition players, opening up space for his teammates.
The young star is so highly-rated in Brazil, he has been the subject of debate among the country’s top coaches, including former Seleção boss Dorival Junior, who insists he must not be shackled to a set position.
“In my opinion, Bidon is not a defensive midfielder,” Dorival said this month.
“He has all the characteristics of [an all-round] midfielder.”
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