West Ham United’s £15 million deal to bring Fabricio Bruno to the Premier League has stalled after the Flamengo and Brazil defender asked for £100,000-a-week from the London Stadium outfit.
EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that, while a team now under the stewardship of Julen Loeptegui attempt to lure two of the most exciting young forwards in Brazilian football to the English capital, their pursuit of a 28-year-old centre-half has hit the buffers.
West Ham United director Tim Steidten is looking to secure an ambitious swoop for Palmeiras wonderkid Luis Guilherme. The Hammers have also made an offer for Corinthians’ ‘fearsome’ £25 million-rated winger Wesley Gassova, although that pursuit has been complicated after Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen threw their hat into the ring.
Fabricio Bruno, meanwhile, appears increasingly unlikely to be wearing the claret and blue next season after talks ran aground over personal terms. HITC have been told that the 28-year-old Copa Libertadores winner wanted an eye-watering £100,000-a-week at West Ham.
Such a wage, per Spotrac, would have made Bruno one of the clubs’ highest earners, ahead of Mohamed Kudus, Thomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen.
West Ham United’s Fabricio Bruno deal stalls
This blow comes after Bruno’s agent claimed that – despite reports that a £15 million transfer was close (The Guardian) – there was still a lot of work to be done before the late-blooming centre-half could be confirmed as a West Ham player.
“Fabricio and Flamengo received a proposal from West Ham,” one of Bruno’s agents told Itatiaia in midweek. “But there is still no agreement between all parties for a transfer to be completed.”
Only three teams – the relegated trio of Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town – conceded more goals than West Ham in 2023/24, a tally of 74 playing a major part in David Moyes’ dismissal. Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd endured difficult campaigns, while former Arsenal prospect Konstantinos Mavropanos is yet to live up to his £19 million price-tag.
Fabricio Bruno would have helped improve a dismal defensive record, earning both of his Brazil caps in 2024 and impressing during a 1-0 win at Wembley over Gareth Southgate’s England in March.
If the deal is to be revived, the former Red Bull Bragantino man may have to reduce his wage demands in order to get his ‘dream’ switch to the Premier League.
Hammers looking at the Brazilian market
“I’m rooting for him,” fellow Flamengo ace Leo Ortiz told Globo Esporte when talks over Bruno’s switch to the London Stadium appeared to be progressing in the right direction. “(The move) is good for him. It’s a dream for him too.
“He’s already made that clear, he’s already expressed that. We know that dreams sometimes don’t knock on the door twice.”
HITC understands that West Ham’s initial offer for Wesley Gassova, meanwhile, was around the £12 million mark. The Hammers have also bid somewhere in the region of £25 million for Luis Guilherme, though there is also interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Brentford and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Palmeiras may be keen to avoid losing another prized asset. Endrick, arguably the most exciting young striker on the planet right now, bid an emotional farewell to the Allianz Parque outfit this week ahead of his long-awaited switch to Real Madrid.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
