West Ham United are reportedly now in talks to sign Sao Paulo duo Luizao and Pablo Maia.
The Lowdown: Luizao deal agreed
As per 90min, the London Stadium outfit have already agreed a three-and-a-half year deal with Luizao, and he will arrive once his contract at Sao Paulo runs out at the end of January.
Benfica, Sporting, FC Porto, Fulham, Wolves, Juventus and the Red Bull group were all interested in signing the central defender, but he struck an agreement with the Hammers after the East London club undertook an extensive scouting mission in South America.
Luizao arrived in England on Monday ahead of a planned medical, but David Moyes’ team are also in talks to sign one of his team-mates…
The Latest: Maia talks
Co-writing in his piece for 90min, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that talks have also been held with Sao Paulo over a deal for Maia, although both clubs are yet to agree on the structure of a potential move.
The Irons would ideally like to loan Maia first with a view to a permanent deal, but Sao Paulo’s preference is to sanction a permanent transfer for the defensive midfielder straight away in the January transfer window.
Fulham have already had a bid for Maia rejected, while Tottenham Hotspur are also monitoring his development at Sao Paulo.
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The Verdict: Get both in
Moyes will always benefit from extra squad depth in the second part of the season, and both Maia and Luizao would offer quality alternatives in the defensive-midfield and centre-back positions.
Hailed as a ‘Mini-Casemiro’ by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, in comparison to the five-time UEFA Champions League winner, Kulig lists Maia’s strengths as ‘passing, vision, tackling, positioning, anticipation, work rate’, and the Brazilian ranks in the 96th percentile for pass completion, 90th for blocks and 85th for aerial duels won per game for all defensive midfielders outside of Europe’s top five leagues over the last year (FBRef).
Nonetheless, at just 20 years of age, the same as Luizao, Maia certainly has a bright future in the game, and would provide a handy alternative to Declan Rice in the middle of the park when the England international needs to be rested.