West Ham to react now as Igor Jesus to Ipswich Town transfer update emerges
West Ham will have to react now if they want to beat Ipswich Town to the signing of Igor Jesus, according to Alan Nixon.
The Sun journalist reported via his Patreon [6 January] that the Tractor Boys are planning a “massive bid” for the Botafogo striker, who is wanted by the Hammers in a swap deal with Lucas Paqueta.
It is understood the 23-year-old is keen on a move to the Premier League, with Ipswich now looking at a deal worth up to £30million, with Botafogo already rejecting a deal from East London [RTI Esporte].
West Ham United to be beaten to Igor Jesus signing?
Michail Antonio has finally been sent home from hospital following a horrifying car crash [The Times], Jarrod Bowen is now on the sidelines with a new injury, and Danny Ings is nowhere to be seen.
Niclas Fullkrug is now the Hammers’ first-choice striker, with little reinforcement behind him, which could make a new striker signing almost essential this month.
Despite signing a number of exciting players during the summer transfer window, and joining the already star-studded attack in East London, goals have not been flowing as expected under Julen Lopetegui.
Only six other Premier League teams have hit the back of the net fewer times – Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Everton, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton.
For a team aiming to qualify for European competitions, this is absolutely unacceptable. Adding Jesus, who has been dubbed “exciting” by South American Football Expert Nathan Jones, is a must.
The Brazilian striker, who has gained plenty of interest from Europe, has netted eight times in 31 matches for Botafogo, featuring for the Copa Libertadores winners since July.
Before that, he netted 40 times in 84 matches for Shabab Al-Ahli in the UAE and is now clearly dreaming of moving to the Premier League.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui has been sacked as the expected replacement is already named.
