Portuguese Club Give In To West Ham’s Demand For A Permanent Sale: A Mistake For The Club?

Word from Portugal suggests things are moving fast regarding Luis Guilherme’s future. Sporting CP have stepped up their interest in the Brazilian winger. According to Mais Futebol and journalist Bruno Andrade, the Lisbon giants have scrapped their original plan for a loan. Instead, they are pushing for a permanent deal.

Sporting CP are closing in on West Ham prodigy Luis Guilherme

At first, Sporting wanted a loan with an obligation to buy. West Ham United shut that down immediately. The Premier League side needs a guaranteed sale right now to meet their financial targets. So, the Portuguese club changed their approach. Talks about a full transfer this January have picked up speed.

West Ham’s bosses want cash up front to help with Financial Fair Play pressures. They need to get their books in order quickly. While earlier reports mentioned a loan with a €15m to €20m buyout clause, the Hammers now want a total break.

Sporting are responding by discussing a mix of set fees and add-ons. On top of that, the Portuguese club sees the young attacker as a must-have signing, especially with rivals FC Porto keeping an eye on him lately. Now, it all comes down to whether the two clubs can settle on a price in the next few days. Earlier reports even claimed that West Ham wanted to offer Luis Guilherme plus cash to sign Vitor Roque, but now the fate of the player has changed.

Analysis: Are the Hammers Making a Mistake with Luis Guilherme?

West Ham news
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Luis Guilherme of West Ham United warms up prior to the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and West Ham United FC at Amex Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Giving up on a high-potential talent like Luis Guilherme so soon is a massive risk for West Ham. Still, the club’s money troubles might force their hand. By choosing a permanent sale, the board is picking quick cash over long-term success on the pitch. This is worrying fans who feel the kid needs more than a few months to get used to English football.

Even so, getting that money back helps the club stay on the right side of Profit and Sustainability Rules. That extra cash gives Nuno Espírito Santo the room to bring in players who can help the team right away. If the Hammers keep the 19-year-old but don’t play him, his price tag will only drop. If they sell him now, it will let them get their money back before his value hits rock bottom.

However, it will hurt to watch him thrive at Sporting CP, especially if he turns into the star West Ham thought they had signed. In the end, this move shows the club is being purely practical. The owners are trading patience for financial safety.

If they spend the transfer money well, the team should be fine. However, if West Ham United sell off their best young talent without replacing them, they could end up stuck in place. The club is walking a tightrope between fixing the finances and losing their most exciting young prospect.