West Ham are pushing to sign Brazilian youngster Yuri Alberto as their hunt for a striker enters the final days of the transfer window.
Hammers technical director Tim Steitden is in Brazil as negotiations with Corinthians continued overnight, with the club keen to make a centre-forward their fifth signing of the window before Friday’s deadline.
Michail Antonio, who had been linked with a move away from east London this summer, has started the season in fine form, scoring in back-to-back victories over Chelsea and Brighton, but David Moyes wants more support for the 33-year-old.
Danny Ings has struggled for impact since his January arrival in the midst of last season’s relegation battle, while Gianluca Scamacca was sold to Atalanta earlier this summer after one underwhelming season in English football. Academy graduate Divin Mubama is highly rated but is yet to make a significant first-team breakthrough.
Alberto has only brief experience of playing Europe after a short-lived spell at Zenit St Petersburg last year but scored four times in 11 League appearances for the Russian side before returning to his homeland.
The 22-year-old made his Brazil debut in a friendly against Morocco in March, coming on as a substitute for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham have also followed up previous interest in Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri this summer and held initial talks with PSG forward Hugo Ekitike.
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Meanwhile, it is looking increasingly likely that Jesse Lingard will be offered a short-term contract after impressing in training with his former club, though that deal does not have to be agreed before deadline day as the Englishman is a free agent.
