West Ham have made a $30m (£23m) offer for Flamengo holding midfielder Gustavo Cuellar, according to reports in Brazil.
It is believed a deal will be finalised after this summer’s Copa America when the 26-year-old will be playing for Colombia.
Hammers fans on Twitter had a mixed reaction to the story:
Anyone complaining look at balbuena I trust the recruitment!
— Michael Deas (@mike_deas) May 14, 2019
Here we go ? ride again ?
— Jefferson Kibble (@kibble992) May 14, 2019
Not going to happen.
— Gez Barton (@bartong2011) May 14, 2019
Really!
— John Moore (@Johnjam10John) May 14, 2019
That means his going to Everton
— tony (@happy_hammers) May 14, 2019
No way we would sign someone not available until Jan
— Richard Knott (@RichardKnott2) May 14, 2019
It’s started and the season only finished two days ago.
— John Protheroe (@JohnProtheroe) May 14, 2019
The time of year where we get linked with everybody but end up with some injury prone player other teams cant wait to get rid of
— tony baker (@bakerboyz1) May 14, 2019
Nonesense, no way we’re gonna pay that kind of money for a player that is 26, never played in Europe & only has 4 caps for Colombia.
— David Clerihew (@DavidClerihew) May 14, 2019
Cuellar reportedly has a £61m release clause so the Colombian international is being sold for well below his valuation but it would still make him the second most expensive player in West Ham’s history.
The Irons have had some success with South American players after signing Fabian Balbuena last summer but it would be a costly purchase for an unproven player if they do secure a deal for Cuellar.
It has even been reported that the Colombian may only move to London next January when Flamengo’s season finishes but that does sound unlikely.
Considering too that West Ham have two well-established defensive midfielders in Declan Rice and Mark Noble already, a move for another player in that position seems to be a bit excessive.
Perhaps the London club are eying Cuellar just in case of Rice’s departure. The England international has been linked with Manchester United and Manchester City in recent months.