Luis Guilherme’s Future at West Ham United Takes a Twist After Failed Deadline Day Move
West Ham United’s Brazilian wonderkid Luis Guilherme has been given an unexpected second chance at the London Stadium after a dramatic deadline day collapse of his proposed move to FC Porto. The 18-year-old attacker, who joined the Hammers from Palmeiras in a £25.5 million deal last summer, was close to leaving the club just months after his arrival. However, due to timing issues and transfer regulations, the deal could not be completed in time, leaving Guilherme with an opportunity to prove himself in East London.
Since making the switch from Brazil, Guilherme has struggled to establish himself as a key figure in Graham Potter’s squad. The teenager has played just 43 minutes across five appearances in all competitions this season, raising questions about whether he was ready for the physicality and intensity of the Premier League. His limited role in the team seemingly led West Ham to entertain offers for him during the January transfer window, with Porto making the most serious approach.
Now, following the dramatic breakdown of his transfer, Guilherme remains with West Ham, and the situation presents a crucial test of his character and resilience. Will he use this as fuel to fight for his place in the squad, or will his struggles continue, reigniting transfer speculation in the summer?
Porto’s Late Attempt to Sign Guilherme Fails Due to Transfer Deadline Rules
Portuguese giants FC Porto had reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign Guilherme on deadline day, as revealed by Brazilian journalist Felipe Silva. However, despite the willingness of all parties to get the deal done, it ultimately collapsed due to the strict transfer regulations in Portugal.
Under the rules set by the Portuguese Football Federation, any incoming player must physically be in the country before midnight on deadline day for the transfer to be officially registered. Unfortunately for Porto, Guilherme was still in England at the time, making it impossible to finalize the move before the window slammed shut.
Adding to the irony of the situation, Guilherme was actually on the pitch playing for West Ham just an hour before the deadline. He came off the bench in the Hammers’ 2-1 Premier League defeat to Chelsea, meaning that even if Porto had everything else in place, there was simply no way for him to travel to Portugal in time to complete the move.
This was a major setback for Porto, who had seemingly been confident of adding the young Brazilian to their squad. It is unclear whether they will return for him in the summer, but for now, their hopes of signing him have been put on hold.
Feyenoord Showed Late Interest but West Ham Decided to Keep Him
Although Porto’s move for Guilherme fell through, he still had a chance to leave West Ham before the winter window officially closed. Dutch club Feyenoord were credited with late interest in the teenager, with Voetbal International reporting that they were considering making a move before the Eredivisie deadline on Tuesday, February 4.
Unlike in Portugal and England, the Dutch transfer window remained open for an extra day, meaning there was still a small window of opportunity for Feyenoord to make a bid. However, despite the rumors, no formal offer was submitted, and West Ham ultimately decided to keep Guilherme at the club.
There could be multiple reasons behind West Ham’s decision to retain him. One possibility is that Graham Potter and his coaching staff still see potential in the young Brazilian and believe he can develop into an important player for the team in the long run. Another factor could be that West Ham did not receive a satisfactory offer, and they preferred to keep him rather than accepting a rushed, last-minute deal.
Either way, the decision has now been made, and Guilherme will remain part of the West Ham squad for the rest of the season.
What Next for Guilherme at West Ham?
With his move away now off the table, Guilherme finds himself at a career crossroads. The failed Porto transfer means he will have to refocus and make the most of his opportunities at West Ham. If he can impress Graham Potter in training and start to deliver strong performances when given the chance, he could still turn things around and justify the hefty investment the club made in him last summer.
One thing that could work in his favor is West Ham’s busy schedule. The club is still competing in multiple competitions, including the Premier League and European football, meaning squad rotation will be necessary. Injuries and fatigue could open the door for Guilherme to get more minutes and prove himself on the pitch.
Additionally, Potter is known for developing young players, and if Guilherme can show signs of improvement in training, the manager may be more willing to give him a chance in the starting lineup.
However, the flip side is that if he continues to struggle for game time and fails to make an impact when given opportunities, he could find himself back on the transfer market in the summer. There is no doubt that Porto and Feyenoord could revisit their interest, and other clubs may also emerge as potential destinations if West Ham decide to cut their losses.
Will He Take His Second Chance?
In football, second chances do not come often, especially for young players who fail to make an immediate impact after a big-money transfer. Luis Guilherme now has a crucial few months ahead of him to change the narrative surrounding his West Ham career.
If he works hard, improves his performances, and starts contributing to the team, he could yet fulfill the expectations that came with his £25.5 million move from Palmeiras. But if he struggles to impress and remains on the fringes of the squad, the summer transfer window could see West Ham trying to offload him once again.
For now, the ball is in Guilherme’s court. This unexpected turn of events might just be the wake-up call he needs to kick-start his career in England.