West Ham United Now Make ‘Formal Bid’ for Long-Term Manchester United Target

West Ham have made two smart signings this summer window in the full-back department, but still need to conduct some more business before the start of the 2024/25 season. They open the new campaign away at the Stadium of Light, facing newly promoted Sunderland. West Ham United have now made a bid for John Victor, who Manchester United have been monitoring for some time now.

West Ham United Bid for Manchester United Target In Race to Prepare for New Season

West Ham Bid for Club World Cup Star

Fabrizio Romano has reported that West Ham United have submitted a “formal bid” for Victor, who is coming off the back of some impressive performances at the Club World Cup. The bid is valued at around £7 million. Despite the goalkeeper being 29-years-old, fellow Premier League outfit Everton are also keen, alongside Galatasaray. Meanwhile, he is a long-term target for Manchester United, who have been monitoring the Brazilian in recent months. Red Devils fans are frustrated after many links to the player.

Brazilian teams are already halfway through their seasons, so it may be slightly harder to complete this transfer at speed, with Botafogo likely to want to have a replacement lined up. The Hammers will ideally want to have this deal over the line before the start of the English top-flight season, and so have to move swiftly.

Do Manchester United Need John Victor?

Andre Onana suffered a hamstring injury in pre-season training, meaning he will miss the start of the Premier League season. However, to enter a bidding war with West Ham, potentially amongst other clubs, to sign a 29-year-old for the sake of a few early fixtures seems rash. Onana will return after a few weeks, and Victor will not be a long-term replacement for the criticised goalkeeper.

To sign a new number one simply because their starter is out seems unnecessary regardless, but if United are set on an incoming, it would make more sense to sign a young prospect who may displace the Cameroonian eventually. Their interest in Senne Lammens matches this. However, they may be better off waiting to make a bigger goalkeeper signing when they can find an Onana replacement who is ready to go.

Alternatively, the cheaper signing of an experienced ‘keeper may actually make more financial sense as a stopgap to provide cover until this ready replacement is found. To spend a higher fee on Lammens, who may not reach a high enough standard quickly enough, could be a mistake.