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Luizao is set to sign a pre-contract agreement to leave Sao Paulo for West Ham “in the next few days”, according to UoL Sport’s Andre Hernan.
The Brazilian centre-back, 20, had already informed the club that he wasn’t willing to extend his contract, which expires at the end of January, and is now due to become a Hammer when it does.
He had wanted to secure some financial compensation for his soon-to-be former side and the Irons had initially indicated they were willing to pay €1million, but that is reportedly now not set to happen.
There is apparently “no agreement” between the clubs but the player will now put pen to paper ahead of a move to West Ham in the new year.
It will therefore be close to free transfer, with Sao Paulo only entitled to a small payment through FIFA’s system for compensating training clubs.
He has “a dream” of playing in Europe and is now apparently set to move to the London Stadium at the end of his current deal to realise it.
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In place
There has been all manner of upheaval at the centre-back spot for David Moyes in the past year or so and it doesn’t look like ending soon.
Whether Luizao would be able to secure a work permit to join the squad immediately has to be a question as a youngster who has yet to feature in the Brazil international side.
Nayef Aguerd is working his way into the squad belatedly and the manager will hope that after the World Cup break he is ready to become the regular starter that he was bought to be.
And there remains doubt over Craig Dawson’s future after the the 32-year-old came close to leaving the London Stadium in the summer.
But if Luizao is to be secured for next to nothing it sounds like a sensible deal to get in place, even if it is one for the future.
A loan within Europe may be required before he is ready to feature in the Premier League, but it looks like the club are moving early for the winter after an up and down start to the season.