West Ham reportedly exit Gary Cahill race in order to land Goncalo Cardoso

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West Ham will not be signing former Chelsea defender Gary Cahill this summer, as a swoop for teenager Goncalo Cardoso moves closer.

According to Football.London, Cahill is not a player interesting Manuel Pellegrini after his £100,000-a-week (Spotrac) Stamford Bridge deal expired this summer.

Instead, Sky Sports News report that the Hammers are closing in on a £2.75 million swoop for 18-year-old Boavista centre back Cardoso, who only made his professional debut in October.

The swoop represents a change of approach from the Hammers, who would likely previously have swooped for the expensive wages and experience of Cahill instead of taking a more long-term approach.

But Pellegrini appears to have shepherded in a transfer policy focusing on younger blood, which should avoid the Hammers being landed with expensive duds.

Cahill may not have come under that category, but he would have done nothing to help West Ham’s long-term planning and likely didn’t feature for Chelsea much last season for a reason.

Cardoso may take time to adjust to English football, but Pellegrini has seemingly been attracted to his potential ability and what he could become if he learns his trade well in the top flight.

The fee represents pocket change in the modern market and could well prove to be a shrewd punt from Pellegrini.