West Ham now mull January transfer for 26-year-old after international scouting trip

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West Ham United are now considering a move to sign Guilherme Arana in the January transfer window after scouting the Atletico Mineiro star with Brazil against Venezuela.

That is according to 90min, which reports that West Ham sent their scouts to watch Arana in action as Brazil drew 1-1 on Friday. The Irons are intent on securing David Moyes a new left-back when the sales restart. But the Hammers were not alone in the Arena Pantanal stands.

Arana has attracted vast interest having produced an array of impressive performances with Atletico Mineiro this season. His form in Belo Horizonte also secured the 26-year-old a recall to the Selecao set-up. Arana had not represented Brazil since June 2022 after his ACL injury.

West Ham scouted Arana as Brazil drew 1-1 with Venezuela

West Ham have noted Arana’s response to the ACL injury as Moyes targets the transfer of a new left-back. But Brentford and Wolves also sent scouts to Arena Pantanal to run the rule. Yet their interest in bringing Arana into the Premier League is not as advanced as the Irons’.

The Hammers began scouting Arana earlier this year with his contract with Atletico Mineiro expiring in December 2024. His Brazilian Serie A team are also unlikely to block a transfer in the upcoming January window. But the Sao Paulo natives’ form has several sides interested.

Arana has suitors across Europe with a transfer on the cards

Lyon, LOSC Lille and RC Lens are tempted to bring Arana back to Europe for a taste of life in Ligue 1. Werder Bremen could also offer him Bundesliga football. While Lazio and Roma are interested in Arana’s return to Serie A having spent time on loan at Atalanta BC during 2019.

Atalanta loaned Arana from Sevilla during his time in La Liga from 2018 to 2021. Arana left Spain initially on loan in 2020 to join Atletico Mineiro before securing a permanent transfer. He started his career in Brazil at Corinthians and is even now Atletico Mineiro’s club captain.

West Ham, then, may have rued seeing Brentford, Wolves, Lyon, Lille, Lens, Lazio, Roma and Werder Bremen all send scouts to Brazil’s match with Venezuela to watch Arana in view of a transfer, too. They could watch him again when the Selecao visit Uruguay next Wednesday.