Sao Paulo have joined the race for Southampton defender Lyanco as the Brazilian giants prepare to lose fellow centre-half Luizao to Premier League outfit West Ham United, according to reporter Gabriel Sa.
Last week, reports emerged suggesting that Luizao would be unveiled as a West Ham player in the coming days. The wait goes on but, fear not, it should only be a matter of time before David Moyes is welcoming the first new face of 2023 to the London Stadium.
Luizao will become a free-agent in a matter of weeks. The 20-year-old should then sign a pre-contract agreement with the Hammers, Tricolor boss Rogerio Ceni all-but giving up hope of keeping Luizao on the other side of the Atlantic.
“There must be players who leave. Probably six, seven, or eight players will leave. Luizao is very likely to leave,” Ceni sighs. “Not that the club wants it, but because of the player’s desire.
“The contract is expiring in January. We will have some departures and changes. It’s part of (football). It’s a painful process.”
West Ham are signing Luizao and his replacement could be Southampton’s Lyanco
Sao Paulo are certainly wasting no time in pursuing a replacement.
Southampton’s £7 million Brazilian benchwarmer, Gabriel Sa says, is hoping to return to South America after falling out of favour at St Mary’s. Rio rivals Botafogo and Vasco da Gama have already held talks. Sao Paulo are now throwing their hat into the ring too.
Southampton may need some convincing if they are to it the former Torino man go in January, however.
Lyanco appears to be the club’s fourth-choice centre-half; behind Mohammed Salisu, Duje Caleta-Car and the World Cup-bound German international Armel Bella-Kotchap. But the tight-knit nature of this season’s fixture schedule means a relegation-threatened Southampton side may need all the depth they can get.
Lyanco has still made nine appearances this season, even if many of those have come from the bench.
“I spoke with him about some clubs; including Vasco,” says Marcelo Vojnovic; Lyanco’s father and agent. “He told me that he seems to have a good project for next year, and to look at (a move back to Brazil) with very good eyes.
“Of course, without ruling out other clubs that are interested in him.”
In addition to Luizao, West Ham are also keeping tabs on Sao Paulo midfielder Pablo Maia. The tough-tackling Brazilian is valued at £9 million (UOL). London rivals Fulham have already seen a £6.5 million bid rejected.
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