Even while most teams would be sad to lose a player with such high value before they’ve even begun to realize their full potential, the response to West Ham United’s £25 million offer hasn’t been negative.
More “pleasure and pride.” Yes, there is a certain amount of dissatisfaction that the gifted forward could not reach his full potential while playing for Palmeiras. However, satisfaction from their part in young Luis Guilherme’s growth.
The fact that West Ham United decided to pay £25 million on an 18-year-old who had made fewer than 30 league appearances after a brief period of deliberation is testament to both Guilherme’s abilities and the accomplishments of Palmeiras’ academy.
Real Madrid was about to purchase Endrick, the top Samba talent of his generation, from the Brazilian powerhouses. Meanwhile, Guilherme may be joining another baby-faced whizzkid in London: Estevao Willian.
In May, HITC said that Chelsea had reached an agreement on a package that might total an incredible £60 million.
Guilherme, on the other hand, departs Palmeiras after rising through the ranks and taking home the 2023 Brazilian Serie A championship.
West Ham sign Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras
Paulo Buosi, vice president of Palmeiras, grinned and said, “Luis spent seven years with us,” according to the club’s official website. He was the academy’s champion in every category, and he proudly donned the professional shirt in addition to being the first team’s champion.
“What he created with us makes us very happy. He is a remarkable young man and one of the greatest sellers in Palmeiras’ history. I hope he has an amazing career.
“I am sure that Palmeiras will never leave his heart and that he will never leave the heart of every Palmeiras fan. Palmeiras will always be with him.”
“(I feel) happiness and pride,” adds an emotional Joao Paulo Sampaio, general manager of the Palmeiras academy. “I’m happy for the person Luis. Not only the club and his family will benefit from this, but he (will) too.
“He is an extraordinary boy and human being who will be greatly missed. He will conquer the world and will always be in our hearts. Brazilian football will have a future with him too.”
Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira is not quite so positive about the departures of Endrick, Estevao and Guilherme. The Portuguese tactician is understandably concerned about what losing the club’s prized trio in the space of one summer means for the Verdao’s hopes of retaining their title.
Tim Steidten very excited about ‘young talent’
It remains to be seen, meanwhile, what sort of a role Guilherme will play in 2023/24. Perhaps we can look at Crystal Palace as an example.
Palace snapped up another Brazilian teenager Matheus Franca from Flamengo but, rather than throw him straight at the deep end, introduced him slowly to get the Rio-born winger up to speed with the physicality of the English game.
“We are really happy that Luis Guilherme is now a West Ham United player,” beams director Tim Steidten, the 2023 Conference League champions landing one of South America’s most unpredictable and technically gifted propsects.
“He is a very exciting young talent who we have followed for some time. Once we became aware that he was available, Julen and I were determined to bring him to London.
“Luis has enjoyed a fantastic start to his professional career with Palmeiras – naturally a wide player but with the flexibility to play across other attacking positions, which is an important and valuable factor in the modern game.
“He is technically very gifted, but also has very good physical qualities – great pace, strength and stamina, and these are traits that will help him to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and English football.”
