West Ham could be set make a move for a Brazilian wonderkid in the January transfer window.

It’s no secret that West Ham kept a watchful eye on the Brazilian market this Summer, with Tim Steidten even flying out to try and complete a deal or two. While out there, it’s assumed he spotted a few players he wanted to monitor further and one of these is said to be Matheus Nascimento, as reported on Football Fan Cast.

ExWHUEmployee reported exclusively in the summer transfer window that Steidten had identified the player as a potential future signing.

At just 19-year-olds, the striker is still extremely raw, scoring 11 goals in 81 appearances but he is highly rated in his home country. He was heavily linked with a move to Nottingham Forest in the transfer window but opted to stay and fight for a title at Botafogo.

Considering Forest have done some excellent business since returning to the Premier League, the fact they were interested in the youngster should be positive signs to his quality.

The Hammers hunt for a striker have been futile for years, now it seems the club may be adopting the approach of trying to find a more obscure player to fit David Moyes’ style of play.

While it’s certainly a risky signing, that’s exactly what West Ham need. Antonio is vital to the way we play yet he’s not getting any younger and even his biggest fans would be hard pressed to argue against the fact he’s had a massive dip in quality the last season or so. It’s crucial that the club are able to sign a striker who actually suits the way we play, and it’s just as important that they do this sooner rather than later.

Brazil has always produced some of the best players in the world, it’s a market with so much untapped potential. The leap to the Premier League is too much for most, but there are certainly gems to be found there and, if we are to sign him, let’s hope Nascimento is one of them.

By Charlie Bass