---
title: "West Ham send scouts to watch Benfica star"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2015/08/17/west-ham-send-scouts-watch-benfica-star/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Todva"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2015-08-17T21:04:01Z"
modified: "2015-08-17T21:04:01Z"
---

# West Ham send scouts to watch Benfica star

Portugal media outfit [A Bola](https://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/confirmed-in-portugal-west-ham-on-benfica-transfer-mission-last-n) are reporting this morning that West Ham sent scouts out to watch Benfica’s game against Estoril last night. They kicked off their season with a convincing 4-0 win as they go for a hat-trick of league titles.

![Portugal v Netherlands - UEFA U21 Championship Playoff: Second Leg](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2015/08/458503408.jpg)

Alongside West Ham on the scouting list were the likes of Atletico Madrid which shows the quality of talent on show from Benfica. West Ham have been linked with 23-year-old winger Ola John from Benfica and he looks the most likely person they were watching. The Liberian-born, Netherlands international has been at Benfica since 2012 and has caught the eye of some of Europe’s top teams. A stumbling block could be his huge release clause that Benfica put in his 5-year contract that he signed in 2012. John played an hour for Benfica last night.

![El Salvador v Argentina](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2015/08/467936858.jpg)

John isn’t the only winger to be linked with a move to West Ham today as there are also reports of Lavezzi from PSG being offered to a trio of London clubs including West Ham.