Flamengo defender David Luiz has praised his teammate Fabricio Bruno ahead of his potential move to West Ham.
Asked whether the 28-year-old has what it takes to excel in the Premier League, the former Chelsea and Arsenal player said that Bruno shouldn’t have any issues adapting to life in England:
“I can’t talk until it’s done. But what I can tell you is that both he and many of the players here have the quality to play for any team in the world.”
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Bruno’s £11.5m move is all but done, but others are not so confident that the deal will go through.
His agent has cast doubt on a switch to West Ham
Speaking to Itatiaia (quotes via HITC), one of Bruno’s representatives said that a move to the London Stadium had not been agreed:
“Fabricio and Flamengo received a proposal from West Ham. But there is still no agreement between all parties for a transfer to be completed.”
There are some reports that the terms of the transfer have changed and the move could end up collapsing, but we shall have to see how things pan out.
Why are West Ham interested in Bruno?
A number of the London club’s centre-backs could end up leaving this summer. Angelo Ogbonna is already expected to depart on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of next month.
Nayef Aguerd has been heavily linked with a switch to Saudi Arabia, while there are also doubts over the future of captain Kurt Zouma. The Frenchman has just a year left on his current deal and this is the last chance for West Ham to raise funds from his sale.
In that context, it is understandable why technical director Tim Steidten has prioritised a bid for someone like Bruno so early in the summer.
