Could ligtning be striking twice for a man who wanted to join Celtic in 2020, and now appears to have priced himself out of another proposed move to Britain?
West Ham United opening talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers regarding their talismanic captain Max Kilman certainly suggests that history may have repeated itself for a man who’s wait goes on for a chance on the other side of the Atlantic.
With HITC having been informed that Wolves are holding out for £50 million for skipper Kilman, however, there is still a chance that West Ham look to reignite their pursuit of Fabricio Bruno later in the window.
Bruno, the 27-year-old Brazil international, is available for some £35 million less than it would take to bring Kilman to the London Stadium after all. But four years after the Flamengo stopper saw a £2.5 million move to Celtic blocked by Cruzeiro – and he was certainly not happy about that – Bruno will only have himself to blame this time around (Globo Esporte).
Fabricio Bruno wanted to make £2.5m Celtic move
“Cruzeiro refused to negotiate with them,” the former Red Bull Bragantino stopper said back in 2020, explaining why his desired switch to the green side of Glasgow did not materialise.
“It was a difficult situation and I had to look at the personal side of it. Some fans called me ungrateful and a mercenary, but it was the other way around.
“I tried to get the club some money with this transfer. I tried to tell to them to negotiate with Celtic, but they would not. I had no choice, but to take Cruzeiro to court.”
Bruno, as the Scottish Sun explains, attempted to force Cruzeiro to terminate his contract, opening the door for Celtic to get their man. But, with those legal arguments dragging things out further, that was the end of that.
“Celtic came back for me,” Bruno added. “But they had to pull out because I wouldn’t get a decision from the court until February 6 and that was too late for them.
“It was very unfortunate for them.”
West Ham deal looks off the cards now
Unfortunate too, for West Ham, that Bruno demanded such an eye-watering wage after talks over a move to the London Stadium also got underway. HITC reported at the end of May that discussions had stalled due with Bruno holding out for a £100,000-a-week contract.
At least, this time, the situation facing Bruno at Flamengo is not quite as toxic as his Cruzeiro predicament. On the contrary, the 2022 Copa Libertadores winners are very keen to keep him.
“Flamengo listened to the businesspeople, who are the people who take care of Fabricio’s career,” vice-president Marcos Braz smiles. “They told us that the player was interested in going to England.
“We sat down, as we do with everyone. We agreed with the team and on the spot. (But) there was no agreement between the club and the player.
“This is difficult because, usually when you talk to the club, the player’s situation is already advanced. For us, it was a pleasant surprise. I prefer Fabricio (to stay) here.”
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