OPINION
The Times reported on Sunday that West Ham United have made an ambitious £18million bid for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes.
Ambitious is the right word, because £18million is unlikely to get you a single hair on the 29-cap international’s head. However, later on Sunday it emerged that the Hammers were being a bit more realistic with their pursuit of the 25-year-old.
Reliable Hammers news source Claret & Hugh claimed that the club are indeed interested in Gomes, but that they understand that it’s going to take a lot more than £18million to bring him to the London Stadium.
Obviously Everton, where the midfielder spent the 2018/19 season on loan, will likely be looking to sign him as well. However, The Times’ report states that there is no option for them to purchase Gomes permanently in his loan contract, meaning that it could come down to a straight fight between the two Premier League sides.
West Ham are bang on with their stance on the player, and their realism needs to be shared by the club’s supporters. It’s going to be extremely tough to bring the Barca star to east London, even if they have seemingly gotten in early here.
Gomes would be an unbelievable signing for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, though. He is a wonderfully gifted footballer, with a range of passing that no one at West Ham possesses. Jack Wilshere’s probably the closest in that capacity, but the less said about him the better after an injury-ravaged debut campaign with the Hammers.
No, if the club can bring Gomes in it would be a humongous coup. He’s a cut above the rest of the team’s midfielder – Declan Rice aside – and would be a perfect summer recruit. However, the fans need to understand that this remains the longest of long shots at present.
