West Ham United verbally agree Luizao loan-to-buy move, deal 'very close' to completion

Luizao is "very close" to leaving West Ham for Corinthians with a loan-to-buy offer verbally agreed, according to Gabriel Sa.

The Arquibancada Tricolor reporter posted on X (22 August) with an update that Luizao has already accepted a "new challenge" with Corinthians over a return to his native Brazil from the London Stadium.

Corinthians have reportedly made a formal bid to the Hammers which was met with a counter-offer; this in turn was given a "verbal okay" by the Brazilian Serie A side, but is yet to be formalised contractually.

However, the deal to take Luizao to Corinthians from East London, a loan with an option to buy, is reportedly "very close" to being finalised after the clubs had previously disagreed on a permanent fee [Bruno Andrade, 21 August].

Luizao transfer the right move for West Ham United to make

The Hammers have been no strangers to loan-to-buy transfers so far this summer, having agreed a big-money deal with OGC Nice for the at-first temporary move of defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

Arriving on an initial loan, there are very few conditions standing in the way of the Irons triggering the permanent obligation in Todibo's contract, essentially pushing the transfer back to 2025 [Sean Whetstone, 11 August].

That, however, has seen Luizao's position in the pecking order knocked even further down at the London Stadium, and thus exiting on a loan-to-buy move of his own is a sensible decision for the 22-year-old.

Luizao is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Hammers across his two seasons at the club, and being well beyond the age of a 'young prospect', the Brazilian needs to be playing football.

Haggling over the permanent transfer fee – should Corinthians be willing to pay it – will only delay a move which is best for all parties [Globo, 21 August], and Luizao would surely appreciate the Irons not standing in his way.

In other West Ham news, clubs in League One and the Championship are battling it out to sign a young Hammers midfielder on loan.

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