West Ham United plan move for £8million Red Bull Bragantino captain Leo Ortiz
West Ham are “planning a move” for Brazilian defender Leo Ortiz and have been told it will cost £8million, according to the Daily Mail.
Globo Esporte first reported on 8 June that the club was interested in the Red Bull Bragantino man as they look to strengthen the defence, for a fee between £6.9million and £8.7million.
A report in Portugal from Correio de Manha on 12 June had suggested that the cost was as high as £10.2million when Porto were hoping to secure him.
But the Hammers now appear to be going ahead with an attempt to bring him to the London Stadium, and could have an advantage in the three-way race against the Portuguese side and Serie A’s Fiorentina thanks to the player’s love of the Premier League.
He told Sportsmail: “The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. Very competitive, with great games and the atmosphere in the stadiums is always special.
“I watch it a lot whenever I can and my whole family really likes to watch it too, so we are always watching and commenting on the games.
“And now, in the national team, I am able to exchange ideas with some players who are in the Premier League and they said that it really is a different and special championship to play.”
Head-start
Now that the interest is apparently set to solidify into a concrete attempt to sign him the chances of him arriving at the club look good.
He is easily affordable for a side in the English top flight, and looks to have his heart set on such a move to solidify his chances of breaking into the Brazil team.
The Bragantino captain has been called up a number of times without making his debut, and has his eye on the Qatar World Cup.
David Moyes is clearly prioritising his defence with his early summer business, with the Moroccan Nayef Aguerd also expected to arrive.
For the price Red Bull want and with the player almost more eager than the club it could be a solid move as a secondary signing.
The fact that he has no experience outside of Brazil could be a slight concern in terms of his ability to adapt to the Premier League, and were he the Iron’s top target for the back line it might be a worry.
But if they can land Aguerd and then add Ortiz, who is on the brink of becoming an international player at an older age than many, the former Internacional man could be a low-risk late-bloomer in East London.
In other West Ham news, the club face making a loss if they sell a player who is reportedly expendable this summer.
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