Report: West Ham open talks to sign Sporting Lisbon wide man

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Portuguese outlet A Bola have claimed that West Ham United have opened talks to sign Sporting Lisbon wide man Jovane Cabral this summer – with a fee of at least £18million expected to prize him away from Portugal.

Cabral, 22, endured an indifferent 2019-20 campaign as he started well but instantly suffered a hip injury that saw him miss 20 matches in all competitions. When fit, he has been first choice for Cristiano Ronaldo’s boyhood club.

Clocking up 21 outings in total, the Cape Verde international has scored six goals and laid on three assists in 16 league games. It has taken his overall tally to 10 goals and 11 assists in 52 Lisbon outings – despite starting just 24.

The report claims West Ham have opened talks to sign the impressive winger, who has been quoted by former Sporting chairman Sousa Cintra as saying that he wants to become better than both Ronaldo and Luis Figo.

In an interview with Adeptos De Bancada, Cintra spoke of a conversation he had with Cabral: “‘You will be as good as Figo or Ronaldo’, he replied ‘No president, I will be better'”. It is believed West Ham will have to pay £18million.

TBR’s view – Can Cabral replace the imminent exit of duo?

Both Manuel Lanzini and Felipe Anderson are expected to leave the club in the coming months, with the Evening Standard stating that they are likely to be thrown on the scrapheap – after a disappointing 2019-20 season.

Cabral can play on either wing and is more than capable of both scoring goals, and creating them. Bags of pace, trickery and equal ability with both feet – at £18million, Cabral could be a top addition.