Both transfers being driven by Nuno Espírito Santo
Sterling rejects West Ham, with Fulham favourites
West Ham are poised to boost their attacking options by signing Gil Vicente’s Pablo Felipe and Lazio’s Taty Castellanos at a cost of up to £47m.
Both deals have been driven by Nuno Espírito Santo, who is looking to help his struggling side’s fight to stay in the Premier League by adding more firepower. West Ham considered a move for the Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen but decided against making a bid after concluding that his £40m valuation was too high.
They instead moved quickly to agree a deal for Pablo, who will join for £18.3m plus £2.6m in add-ons, then swiftly concluded negotiations with Lazio over a £26.1m deal for Castellanos. West Ham are also looking to complete a short-term deal for the Fulham winger Adama Traoré, who is out of contract at the end of the season, but have failed with a loan bid for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling. Fulham are favourites to land Sterling, who does not believe that a temporary move to West Ham would help him revive his career.
