West Ham United appears set to part ways with Brazilian center-back Luizao during the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite joining the club from Sao Paulo on a free transfer in January 2023, the 21-year-old has yet to make a senior appearance for the Hammers.
Reports from the January transfer window indicated strong interest from six clubs eager to secure Luizao’s signature, but the young defender ultimately remained at the London Stadium. However, it seems that manager David Moyes is now inclined to offload him.
According to Brazilian media outlet IG, several Brazilian clubs have expressed interest in acquiring Luizao, with Ligue 1 side Monaco also entering the fray. The key question, though, is the potential transfer fee West Ham would demand for the player.
IG suggests that the Hammers could seek €5 million (£4 million) for Luizao in the upcoming summer transfer window. This valuation raises eyebrows, considering the defender arrived on a free transfer. The notion of securing such a sum for a player who has yet to feature in the senior squad could be perceived as optimistic.
Luizao’s lack of senior appearances is notable, as he has been restricted to 30 outings for the under-21s, according to Transfermarkt. While glimpses of his potential were seen during first-team training in October, it appears that Moyes believes he is not yet ready for the demands of Premier League football.
Despite the potential asking price, there is skepticism about West Ham securing a significant fee for Luizao. Speculations suggest that the Brazilian may depart for a more modest sum, possibly closer to £500,000.
This scenario aligns with the notion that Luizao’s stint in East London might be brief, with the club potentially looking to recoup a portion of the initial investment made when signing him.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the future of Luizao at West Ham remains uncertain, but the anticipated fee will likely be a topic of speculation and discussion among football enthusiasts.