West Ham United’s pursuit of Sao Paulo defender Luizao is at an ‘impasse’ with ESPN reporting that the Premier League outfit are refusing to pay a compensation fee for a man out of contract in the New Year.
Nothing’s ever simple in football.
Just when it seemed that West Ham’s first signing of 2023 was all-but done and dusted, here come Sao Paulo to rain on David Moyes’ parade.
Per reporter Andre Hernan, 20-year-old Luizao was expected to sign a pre-contract agreement with the Hammers sooner rather than later. His current deal expires on January 31st.
But finding an agreement with the player himself is the easy part. As ESPN explain, Sao Paulo and West Ham certainly don’t see eye to eye on the sensitive subject of ‘financial compensation’.
West Ham United still hope to sign Luizao from Sao Paulo
West Ham would have to pay £250,000 to the Brazilian outfit in accordance with FIFA rules, due to the fact that Luizao has been at Sao Paulo for more than five years. The London giants, however, believe it would be more advantageous for everyone involved if Sao Paulo were to accept only a percentage of that fee while retaining a sell-on clause, allowing them to enjoy a welcome-if-belated cash windfall should Luizao leave the English capital in a future window.
Sao Paulo have made numerous attempts to extend the young centre-half’s contract. Luizao never had any real plans to stick around, given his desire to make a mark in European football. Fulham had also shown an interest.
Luizao appears to have his heart set on joining compatriot Lucas Paqueta at West Ham, however, and the hope will be that this ‘impasse’ is little more than a bump in the road.
Interestingly, both West Ham and Fulham are also keen on one of Luizao’s Sao Paulo team-mates; the aggressive, all-action midfield general Pablo Maia. He too is expected to leave the cash-strapped club in the New Year.
“There must be players who leave. Probably six, seven, or eight players will leave. Luizao is very likely to leave,” explains Sao Paulo coach Rogerio Ceni. “Not that the club wants it, but (he will leave) 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.”
Southampton benchwarmer Lyanco could reportedly replace Luizao at Sao Paulo.
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