Radio Globo took Flamengo fans by surprise this week, saying West Ham United are trying to sign midfielder Gustavo Cuellar.

The outlet claims the Hammers are willing to pay €30m for the 26-year-old, offering a contract worth almost six times what he earns at the Brazilian side.

Cuellar is said to have the ‘dream’ of playing in Europe, and is excited about the opportunity. Meanwhile, Flamengo would not stop him from taking this chance.

Radio Globo claims that the Rio de Janeiro club are already aware of the approach, although the player’s agent ‘doesn’t confirm the agreement’.

The outlet highlights the fact that Cuellar doesn’t have a European passport, so he would have to get a work permit from the FA. With a €30m fee he should be able to reach the points needed.

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It’s said that Cuellar is protected by a release clause of €70m, but Radio Globo makes it sound like Flamengo would accept West Ham’s offer. That’s because in the same story, they also talk about a Chinese offer for attacker Bruno Henrique, which is said to be too low, while the Hammers’ proposal is taken in a much more positive way.

Signed on a €1.8m deal from Deportivo Cali, Cuellar has been a very important player for Flamengo in the past couple of years. Mostly praised for good tackles and interceptions, his passing is also crucial for the Brazilian team’s current system.