West Ham United have walked away from the chance to sign Sao Paulo defender Luizao on a free transfer, Jorge Nicola reports via his YouTube, potentially opening the door for Premier League rivals Fulham.
In a matter of months, one of the most exciting young central defenders in South America will become a free-agent.
20-year-old Luizao, Nicola says, has turned down numerous opportunities to sign a contract extension with Sao Paulo amid interest from plenty of clubs on the other side of the Atlantic.
West Ham United were one of those. At least, initially. Luizao, however, is no longer an active target for a Hammers side who, with Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer, Nayef Aguerd and Angelo Ogbonna, look very well stocked at centre-half these days.
West Ham United walk away from Luizao deal
“Luizao only has a contract until January 30th. He can sign a pre-contract agreement (with a new club),” Nicola explains.
“Luizao was super confident that he wants to play in the Premier League. He has already had advanced conversations (over a move to West Ham). Which is why he rejected several contract extension offers from Sao Paulo.
“The problem is that Luizao has already been notified, via his representatives, that West Ham are giving up (on signing him). They understand that Luizao might not be able to give them all that they imagined, even if he was really cheap.
“There would have been no need to pay any money to Sao Paulo.”
While one door closes, however, another may open. West Ham’s London neighbours Fulham are also interested in the 6ft 2ins Luizao and there is nothing to suggest yet that they too have got cold.
“The hottest possibility was West Ham,” Nicola adds. “But he was also recently sought by Fulham, Benfica and Porto. Sao Paulo tried countless times to increase Luizao’s salary.”
Fulham were rumoured to have made an offer over the summer. Sao Paulo president Julio Casares, however, insists those reports are wide of the mark.
“From Fulham, I’m sure there isn’t (an offer),” Casares says. “The rumours are sometimes speculation that comes from an agent, for example. I didn’t receive anything. Nobody received anything.”
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