Calleri agrees to sign loan deal with West Ham

According to Esporte, Deportivo Maldonado striker Jonathan Calleri has agreed to join West Ham on a season-long loan.

The report says that West Ham have beat a number of teams to the signing, including European giants Inter Milan and Sevilla. It is said that Calleri did originally want to sign for Sevilla, but West Ham have managed to sway his mind and convince him to sign for the Premier League side.

The 22-year-old was signed by the wealthy Uruguayan second-tier side in an €11m deal in January from Boca Juniors where he had been playing with former Hammer Carlos Tevez, before being immediately sent out on loan to Brazilian giants Sao Paolo where he’s netted 12 goals in 17 appearances.

Calleri confirmed to reporters after Sao Paolo’s 4-1 aggregate defeat to Atletico Nacional in the Copa Libertadores that he had played his last game for the club and was disappointed it ended the way it did.

West Ham moved quickly to agree a deal with the Uruguayan club, who have made a habit of signing talented South American players and selling them on for a profit and hope to do so with Calleri in the years to come.

The Argentine striker will sign a contract with West Ham in the coming days, says Esporte. Calleri is believed to have spoken with former team-mate Carlos Tevez over a move to West Ham and now is supportive of the move.