Whether this is a ‘glass half empty’ story or a ‘half ful’l one depends upon viewpoint. For the player of course, it is a mini disaster as there is no return date given following the trauma of a back fracture: For [West Ham](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-dodge-a-bullet-as-29-year-old-turns-down-london-stadium-move/) it could have all worked out very differently had their previous bid been accepted two years ago: They’d now have another striker out of action for the foreseeable future.
So for the player a disaster, for West Ham – maybe one problem avoided in a season of trauma.
One can only have sympathy with Corinthians’ **Yuri Alberto**: Just a month ago his agent was apparently [agreeing personal terms](https://www.claretandhugh.info/alberto-agrees-personal-terms/) for a move to Europe this summer. Now suffering a back fracture which will keep him out of action for months the 23 year old Brazilian golden boot winner is described as happy to stay in Brazil with his current club.
Whether that is just the Chief executive and the President closing ranks to try and hang on to their record goalscorer and discourage West Ham,. Wolves and others who have been on his trail for months – in the Hammers’ case more than two years – Alberto looks like he’s out of action for the start of next season and therefore will remain with Corinthians for tis window at least.
Alberto is in danger of joining that growing group of players including Youssuf En- Nesryi and Callum Wilson who are linked every window but never materialise. At just 24 he has another ten years of flirting with a move to West Ham but it doesn’t look as if he’s going to be the answer to Graham Potter’s problems any time soon. We wish him a speedy recovery.