West Ham United are still firmly in the race to sign Portuguese winger Jota Silva from Vitoria de Guimaraes.
The Hammers have been tracking Silva throughout the summer and are now in pole position to secure his services before the transfer window shuts.
According to the Portuguese publication Record (page 19), his departure from Vitoria is inevitable, with West Ham leading the chase for his signature.
The East London outfit are on the lookout for a right-footed left winger following the departure of Said Benrahma to Lyon, and Silva’s profile fits the bill perfectly.
The 24-year-old winger enjoyed a stellar campaign in the Primeira Liga last season, notching 15 goals and seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
His impressive performances earned him widespread acclaim, and many believe he was unlucky to miss out on the Portugal 2024 European Championship squad.
Silva possesses a lethal combination of pace, shooting ability, and technical skill, making him a potent attacking threat.
With just 12 months remaining on his contract, Vitoria are under pressure to sell this summer to avoid losing him for free next year. They have set his price tag at a modest £8 million.
West Ham have already bolstered their squad this summer, signing Max Kilman from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.
Silva would further strengthen their attacking options as they look to improve on their disappointing ninth-place finish last term.
Silva over Crysencio Summerville?
The Irons are also reportedly considering a move for Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville. It seems like it is a choice between Silva and Summerville.
Summerville has shown promise and has experience playing in England, but West Ham might be wiser to pursue Jota Silva.
Not only is he cheaper, but his skillset aligns more closely with Julen Lopetegui’s possession-based approach. Silva excels in tight spaces, a crucial attribute for a team often looking to break down compact defences. Summerville is more explosive and needs space to shine.
Furthermore, the Vitoria man can accept a rotational role behind Lucas Paqueta, offering valuable depth and competition.