It has just come to light why West Ham are targeting the Brazilian market this summer.
For a long time under David Moyes’ reign, The Hammers were often fishing in the Premier League market and in Europe.
But, this summer that recruitment strategy has completely changed and now a lot more Brazilian players are being targeted.
Luis Guilherme has already signed from Palmeiras whilst a move from Flamengo centre-back Fabricio Bruno was close to being completed before falling through.
In a recent report, it has just emerged what’s changed and why the East London club are now looking at players in Brazil.
Tim Steidten has been receiving recommendations from former player
According to Premier League Brasil, former Brazil defender Naldo, who now works as an assistant manager at Schalke, has a great relationship with West Ham technical director Tim Steidten.
The 41-year-old has been making recommendations to Steidten about promising players emerging from his native country and was involved in the Guilherme deal by his own admission.
“Luis Guilherme has been outstanding for some time and has attracted interest from several clubs,” Naldo said.
“I got in touch with Nick Arcuri (Luis Guilherme’s manager), we started to draw up the negotiation and in the end it was good for both clubs.”
Naldo suggested Yuri Alberto last summer
Naldo also suggested the signing of Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto last year but that deal never materialised.
Teenage winger Wesley is another player who he mentioned to Steidten but the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement after a £12.8m bid was rejected.
It remains to be seen whether they will make a second offer for the highly-rated attacker, who Chelsea are also keen on.
In other news, West Ham want free agent Tony Cottee once deemed ‘special talent’