EXCLUSIVE: West Ham Open to Selling Brazilian Winger Luis Guilherme as Portuguese Giants Circle

EXCLUSIVE: West Ham Open to Selling Brazilian Winger Luis Guilherme as Portuguese Giants Circle…

West Ham United are prepared to cut their losses on Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme just a year after his marquee arrival, with Portuguese powerhouses Sporting CP and FC Porto actively advancing moves for the 20-year-old, The Sporting Lead can reveal.

The Hammers signed the highly-touted attacker from Palmeiras in the summer of 2024 for a fee in the region of £25 million, viewing him as a key part of their long-term project. However, the move has failed to ignite, with Guilherme struggling to secure a consistent place in the first-team picture under manager Julen Lopetegui.

Despite flashes of his undeniable technical quality and explosive pace, the youngster has found minutes hard to come by in a competitive attacking unit. He made just 12 Premier League starts last season, often being deployed from the bench, and has failed to establish himself as a regular starter in the current campaign.

Sources close to the club indicate that a decision has been made to listen to offers for Guilherme this month. The West Ham hierarchy believe a move, particularly to a league seen as an ideal development environment, could reignite the player’s career and allow the club to recoup a significant portion of their initial investment.

It is in Portugal where the most serious interest has emerged. Sporting CP, under manager Rúben Amorim, are long-term admirers of Guilherme’s profile and see him as a dynamic option for their flanks as they compete on multiple fronts. Their league rivals, FC Porto, are also firmly in the race, with the Dragons’ recruitment team identifying him as a potential high-upside project who could thrive at the Estádio do Dragão.

Both clubs are understood to be exploring the structure of a deal, with a loan with an obligation to buy or a permanent transfer at a discounted fee being the most likely scenarios. West Ham are reportedly seeking a fee upwards of £15-18 million.

For Luis Guilherme, a switch to Portugal represents a chance to reset. The league has served as a successful springboard for numerous Brazilian talents in recent years, offering a platform for technical development and European exposure.

When contacted for comment, a West Ham United spokesperson declined to discuss individual player situations. The coming days are expected to be crucial as the two Portuguese clubs formalise their approaches for a player whose London adventure appears to be ending before it ever truly began.