West Ham defender Luizao could be on the move in January [Credit: @westham on Instagram]

Luizao representatives hit by transfer approach as West Ham exit on cards

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

12 Dec 2024, 12:40 pm

West Ham United defender Luizao is being monitored by Fortaleza as the Brazilian side prepares to launch an official enquiry, according to Diario do Nordeste.

The Brazilian outlet reported on 12 December that the Campeonato Serie A club have made contact with the 22-year-old's representatives, but are yet to make a formal transfer proposal to the Hammers.

Fortaleza aren't the only Brazilian club keen on Luizao in January [Radio Inferno, 11 December], with a loan move the preferred option for the centre-back.

Luizao signed for the Irons from Sao Paulo in 2023 but is still yet to make his senior debut in almost two years, and his clearest route back to first-team football looks set to be elsewhere.

Luizao exit to Fortaleza the best move for all parties at West Ham

For all the Hammers’ defensive woes so far this season – their 28 goals conceded being the joint-fourth-worst in the Premier League – Julen Lopetegui is yet to call on Luizao as an option at the back.

David Moyes’ time in charge also ended with the Irons having one of the league’s leakiest defences, shipping 74 goals last term, which was the most of any side who didn’t end up being relegated.

Luizao doesn't seem to be in Julen Lopetegui's plans at West Ham United [Credit: Imago]

As a result, it’s clear that despite both managers being unable to solve their issues at the back, neither has thought to give the 22-year-old a debut, leaving Luizao in the building, but on the periphery.

Sides in the Brazilian top flight – where a 20-year-old Luizao made 14 appearances and scored once for Sao Paulo in 2022 – therefore being interested in signing the defender makes plenty of sense.

It makes much less sense for Luizao to stay put in East London given he seems to be no closer to first-team action than when he arrived, and this could pave the way for Fortaleza to get their man in January.

In other West Ham news, Troy Deeney reckons an Irons transfer target's value has doubled since they missed out on signing him.

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