Fabricio Bruno to wave goodbye at Flamengo ahead of West Ham United transfer
West Ham United-bound Fabricio Bruno is set to wave goodbye to Flamengo ahead of a move to the London Stadium, according to GE Globo.
The Brazilian outlet reported that West Ham have agreed an £11.5million deal, rising to £12.8million, for the defender, who will say goodbye to Flamengo fans before their Copa Libertadores match against Millionarios on Wednesday 29 May.
The Hammers finally announced on 23 May that Julen Lopetegui had been appointed as their new manager, and Bruno looks set to become his first new signing.
A twice-capped Brazilian international, Bruno made his debut against England in March and has played 116 times across two and a half seasons with Flamengo.
Fabricio Bruno in line to be Lopetegui’s first West Ham signing
West Ham United have a busy summer ahead, but if they are able to complete signings as straight-forward and quickly as they reportedly have for Bruno, it will be a summer of positive change at the London Stadium.
Lopetegui already appears to have secured the services of a highly-rated international defender, who despite already being 28-years-old, has been on an upward trajectory.
Strong spells at four Brazilian clubs, most recently Flamengo since 2022, have seen him earn a Selecao call-up this year and keep a clean sheet on his debut against England.
The Hammers’ backline is set to undergo huge upheaval in the coming months with elder statesmen like Angelo Ogbonna out of contract and Nayef Aguerd not being favoured by previous manager David Moyes.
Bruno therefore offers plenty of experience to make up for what West Ham could lose this summer and clearly has the quality to stake his claim for an immediate starting berth.
If this is the signing which gets the Lopetegui era up and running, the Irons have laid a solid foundation on which to build towards next season.
In other West Ham news, there is an update on a potential club bonus after Gianluca Scamacca won the Europa League with Atalanta on Wednesday night.
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