West Ham tried and failed with an ambitious move to sign one of Luis Guilherme’s closest friends but have been given encouragement to try again.
There was much excitement around West Ham’s capture of Luis Guilherme last summer.
The Hammers paid Palmeiras £20m for the 19-year-old Brazilian teen – who was then 18.
Guilherme arrived in east London amid much hype and the usual comparisons to Brazilian greats.
Technical director Tim Steidten pushed for the deal despite reservations from West Ham’s owners.
Things have not worked out for Guilherme in his debut season, though.
Guilherme’s difficult start to life at West Ham
He has played just 50 minutes in the Premier League across seven substitute appearances.
West Ham were reportedly keen to try and offload Guilherme in the winter window, with some interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
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A substitute appearance for the Hammers in a harsh 2-1 defeat at Chelsea saw Graham Potter elect to keep the young attacker, though.
When he came on at Stamford Bridge, Guilherme struggled with his first couple of touches.
Visibly angry with himself, the penny seemed to drop for the youngster and he was West Ham’s best player for the remainder of the game, almost creating an equaliser with a brilliant run and pass.
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Giants now open to deal West Ham want for Guilherme’s friend
It gave West Ham hope he could yet turn out to be a useful addition in the long run.
Having come all the way from Brazil to England at such a young age, Guilherme has admitted having compatriots like Lucas Paqueta and Brazilian-born Emerson has been crucial to helping him settle.
The future of both those Hammers stars looks doubtful beyond the summer, though.
Paqueta faces a lifetime ban if found guilty of spot-fixing. If absolved, he will likely be sold as West Ham look to raise funds for Potter’s rebuild.
Emerson has lost his place to Ollie Scarles and is said to be another Potter is happy to move on.
New Endrick encouragement for West Ham
But Guilherme has a chance of being joined in east London by one of his best friends this summer.
Because a European giant is now open to a deal West Ham want for Guilherme’s close pal.
Reports in the winter window claimed West Ham enquired about signing Real Madrid’s Endrick on loan.
It came with the 18-year-old reportedly unhappy at his lack of game time since arriving in Spain from Palmeiras.
Endrick and Guilherme, seen celebrating together below, are close from their time together coming through the ranks at Palmeiras and with Brazil’s youth sides.
Like Guilherme at West Ham, Endrick has barely featured in the league for Real Madrid.
Photo by RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images
Real Madrid now open to Endrick loan after Hammers’ enquiry
He has played just 109 minutes across 16 games, and has also had very few minutes in the Champions League.
Endrick showed his class by leaving on loan Hammers defender Nayef Aguerd for dead to score the winner in Real Madrid’s Copa Del Rey semi-final first leg last week.
West Ham’s enquiry in the January window amounted to nothing.
In the end the Hammers signed 20-year-old forward Evan Ferguson on loan instead.
However, a permanent deal for the Irish striker looks highly unlikely.
Now Real Madrid have since reconsidered their position according to reports from the likes of Sport Bild and Get French Football News.
Clubs in France and Germany are said to be interested in Endrick as well as West Ham.
On reflection, Real Madrid are said to be concerned about stunting the development of the stocky, pacy teenage striker.
As a result they are now willing to loan Endrick out for a season in the summer.
Endrick to West Ham a perfect solution for all parties?
West Ham could well have some ace cards up their sleeve too.
The attraction of reuniting with pal Guilherme, living in London, playing in the Premier League and guaranteed game time would undoubtedly appeal to Endrick and Real Madrid.
The reports do make it perfectly clear that any deal would only be a loan with no option or obligation to buy.
But West Ham’s poor financial position means that may suit them down to the ground this summer.
The Hammers would get a high quality striker without the big outlay.
It may also help bring the best out of Guilherme too.
Endrick could be one to watch for Hammers fans when the window opens.