West Ham United may soon make a bid for a winger who scored 15 goals last season, dubbed the “Portuguese Jack Grealish.” The Hammers have been active in the summer transfer window, with manager Julen Lopetegui keen on strengthening the forward line.
Luis Guilherme is expected to be Lopetegui’s first signing, and now, according to A Bola, West Ham might soon submit a bid for Vitória Guimarães winger Jota Silva. The 24-year-old, whose contract expires next year, is unlikely to see his £16.9m release clause activated by West Ham. Instead, they are expected to negotiate for a lower fee. However, given his 15 goals and seven assists last season, Vitória may hold out for the full release clause.
Jota Silva is versatile, capable of playing on either flank or as a center-forward, a valuable trait in modern football. Dubbed the “Portuguese Jack Grealish” due to his resemblance to the Manchester City winger, the comparison was even acknowledged by Silva’s compatriot Bernardo Silva, who humorously suggested taking a selfie with Jota to deceive City’s manager, Pep Guardiola.
Despite making his debut for Portugal in March, Jota Silva narrowly missed out on a spot in the Euro 2024 squad.
Off the pitch, West Ham risk angering their supporters with a recent financial decision. The relationship between the fans and the board has often been strained, but recent on-field success under David Moyes had somewhat eased tensions. One persistent issue, however, has been the London Stadium. Many fans do not feel the 68,000-seater venue is the club’s true home.
The latest controversy arises from a new policy affecting concession season ticket holders, such as children and older supporters. The policy requires these fans to move to less accessible areas of the stadium or pay full price to remain in their current seats. This decision has further upset a segment of the fanbase, who feel increasingly disenfranchised.
Hammers United, a supporter group, has been vocal in its opposition. In a statement, the group criticized the club’s policies as unfair, particularly in light of West Ham’s claims of being the home of affordable football. The group has proposed boycotting club merchandise and sponsors and launched a petition against the new ticketing initiative.
The policy appears to be part of West Ham’s strategy to boost matchday revenue. Last season, the club earned £41m from ticket sales, a record for them. However, any additional revenue from the new pricing structure is expected to be minimal. There are other potential avenues for the club to increase income from ticket sales without alienating a loyal segment of their fanbase.
In summary, while West Ham looks to strengthen their squad with the potential signing of Jota Silva, they are simultaneously facing backlash from fans over new ticketing policies. The club’s efforts to boost revenue through these changes may come at the cost of supporter goodwill, an important factor for maintaining a strong, unified fanbase.
