Flamengo’s vice president Marcelo Braz has admitted that West Ham United have made a bid for Lazaro but the Premier League outfit must improve their initial offer, speaking to Lance.
Some say £4 million. Others say £6 million.
But, however much West Ham have offered for the 20-year-old Brazil youth star, it’s not enough. Flamengo want closer to £9 million for a talented young winger who’s scored four times in his last five Brazilian Serie A appearances.
Whether that is a fee West Ham are willing to pay, however, remains to be seen.
West Ham United must increase bid for Flamengo’s Lazaro
“There was an offer, and Flamengo understands that it has to be improved,” Braz, Flamengo’s VP, said when asked about West Ham’s interest in Lazaro.
“Whether it will be improved or not is not up to us. We are waiting (for a new offer).
“Lazaro is a very important player. We count on him. It depends much more on who wants to buy him, because we don’t want to sell. They already know the value we want.”
The prospective arrival of an unproven, little-known youngster from South America is unlikely to quell the frustration felt by West Ham fans after their worst start to a league season in over 50 years; three games, three defeats and not a single goal scored.
But Premier League clubs have enjoyed plenty of success when signing up-and-coming talents from Brazil in recent years; whether that be Gabriel Martinelli at Arsenal and Richarlison at Watford, to name but two. Who’s to say Lazaro cannot emulate their impact?
“West Ham remain interested in Lazaro,” explains Brazilian reporter Renato Mauricio Prado, cutting a very different figure to Braz when discussing the winger’s future.
“I have the feeling that if (West Ham) increase the offer a little bit, Flamengo will sell. There is this feeling (at Flamengo ) that Lazaro is a good player, but he will not be a player who will make a difference up front.
“I have a feeling that Lazaro will eventually go. I don’t know if Flamengo has much interest in resisting (the offers).”
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