West Ham could sign Sao Paulo pair Pablo Maia and Luizao during the January transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Reports in the Brazilian media have repeatedly linked the two players with a switch to the London Stadium and Jones says he believes the stories are accurate:

“I’ve checked it out and it does seem like there’s something to it. They’re quite open about this being one that is on the agenda.”

Luizao is a centre-back and he is out of contract in January. However, Sao Paulo wanted some compensation for the defender which the Hammers have refused to pay. It is therefore likely that the 20-year-old will join on a free transfer at the start of February.

Maia, meanwhile, is contracted to Sao Paulo until September next year so a transfer fee of some sort will be required. The player’s asking price is said to be around the £9m mark but that is pretty high for someone who is already in the final twelve months of his contract.

Like Luizao, Maia is also 20 years of age, but he is a holding midfielder, which is an area of the pitch that manager David Moyes is keen to reinforce.