West Ham failed in bid to sign Benfica star in January

According to the print edition of Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, West Ham mad an attempt to sign Benfica star Andre Almeida in January, an attempt that failed for the Hammers.

West Ham apparently wanted to sign him on loan with the option of making it a permanent deal in the summer but the Portuguese giants were not interested in such an offer.

The 26-year-old started the season as a fringe player in the Benfica squad but has started most of their most recent league games at left-back. He’s also experienced at playing at right back and in midfield, so his versatility would certainly have been useful for Slaven Bilic.

The Portuguese international is under contract with Benfica until 2019 so they will be in no rush to sell him unless it is on their terms, so if West Ham decide to go back in for him this summer, they will need to convince the Portuguese side to let him go by making an offer that they feel is too good to reject.