Transfer agreement reached in West Ham and Fulham race to sign Pablo Maia
Fulham have reportedly beaten West Ham to secure the services of Sao Paulo midfielder Pablo Maia in the January transfer window.
According to Brazilian media outlet Lance [15 December], the Hammers made a proposal of a loan with an option to buy the 20-year-old.
This was turned down by the Brazilian club and they now appear to have reached an agreement with their Premier League rivals to sell him.
Shortlived chase
While it’s evident that the Hammers are looking for a midfielder in January, Maia does not seem to be someone who’s been on their radar for long.
It’s understood that the player himself prefers moving to the London Stadium, but it seems like Sao Paulo wanted the money right away.
They wanted to get him on loan and see if he was worth the ordeal of signing permanently as he’s not proven himself in Europe.
Fans certainly will not turn on the board for the failure to secure the 20-year-old’s services even though Fulham are fighting for table positions with the Hammers.
Him going to Craven Cottage is not the end of the world and we’re hoping that an attacking midfielder is signed in January.
Tomas Soucek appears done and dusted at the London Stadium and it’ll be surprising if he’s still a West Ham player at the start of next season.