West Ham United were reportedly concerned about Marlon Santos.
According to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, West Ham United are set to secure a deal for Barcelona defender Marlon Santos – despite claims of their doubts about him.
The Hammers sealed their first signing of the summer last week by snapping up right back Ryan Fredericks on a free transfer from Fulham, and new boss Manuel Pellegrini needs more reinforcements.
Another central defender is wanted, and reports in recent weeks have been strongly linking them with a move to sign Barcelona’s Marlon Santos.
Now, Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo report that West Ham are set to go through with a deal for the Brazilian, with the fee claimed as bein between €15million and €18million (£13million and £16million).
Marlon, 22, came up through the ranks with Fluminense in his native Brazil, before heading on loan to Barcelona B in 2016, and his switch became permanent last summer.
Barca loaned the centre back to Nice, and after showing promise last season, his two-year loan has been cut short in order to facilitate his move to East London.
The move comes as something of a surprise, given that The Guardian recently reported that West Ham had concerns about Marlon’s suitability for the Premier League.
Now, with a deal seemingly going through, West Ham will hope that their doubts don’t come to fruition this season as they desperately seek a steadier defence under Pellegrini.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
