'My priority is England': £17m striker opens door to West Ham or Newcastle move, wants Prem switch
Yesterday at 05:45 AM
Not for the first time, West Ham United are pursuing a centre-forward they tried and failed to bring to the Premier League back in 2023.
And they are not alone, either, in keeping tabs on the in-form striker.
TBR understands that Everton, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United are chasing Yuri Alberto too, alongside a Brentford outfit who are yet to field record signing Igor Thiago during an injury hit first few months in West London.
But while long-time admirers West Ham may have had their fingers burned before – Corinthians’ president confirmed that he rejected a £14 million bid from The Hammers in the summer of 2023 – Yuri Alberto is throwing open the doors for Julen Lopetegui’s struggling side to finally get their man some 18 months later.
The £17 million-rated Alberto got cold feet regarding a move to Southampton before the September deadline.
But with the Brazil international admits that he is open to leaving Corinthians in the New Year, Alberto’s latest comments on a potential transfer will be music to West Ham’s ears.
Yuri Alberto opens door to Newcastle United or West Ham transfer
Alberto spent a brief period in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg during the 2022/23 season.
And, speaking to the media this week, the 23-year-old admits that he is keen on a second stab at life in Europe, with the Premier League his top ‘priority’.
“I have a big dream of playing in Europe,” Alberto says. “I stayed at Zenit and ended up coming back because I couldn’t compete in European tournaments due to the war. I am very happy here at Corinthians but, if an opportunity arises that benefits both Corinthians and myself, I am open to [leaving].
“My priority is England. I really like it there.”
Yuri Alberto has scored 27 goals in all competitions during the calendar year, while netting in six successive Brazilian Serie A matches.
The former Internacional youngster has almost single-handedly dragged Corinthians away from the relegation zone, with only a few weeks remaining in the 2024 campaign.
Fabinho Soldado, a director at Corinthians, is determined to retain Alberto’s services, however, even if his contract has just two years remaining.
“Our intention is to keep the entire squad,” Soldado tells reporters. “It is premature for me to talk about arrivals and departures. I hope to count on all the players in the squad.
“[But] of course, if an important proposal comes in, the club also needs to sit down and listen.”
West Ham and Everton have struggled for goals in the Premier League
While West Ham have found goals hard to come by during an injury-hit debut season for Niclas Fullkrug, Everton are also in the market for a number nine with neither Dominic Calvert-Lewin nor Beto looking like reliable centre-forwards at Premier League level.
Nottingham Forest do have one of the division’s most in-form frontmen in Chris Wood, however. Newcastle, meanwhile, remain reliant on Alexander Isak due to Callum Wilson’s injury issues.
"I've decided over the last few months that I'm going to take it one day at a time," Alberto said recently. "I'm very happy here but, if an offer comes along that's positive for me and Corinthians and we can reach an agreement for the sale to happen, great.
"If not, I'm happy too. I have a dream and I believe that the longer I stay here, the more mature I'll be to be able to live in the best way possible."
