London duo West Ham United and Fulham are reportedly set to battle it out for Brazilian midfielder Pablo Maia.
According to UOL, Premier League sides West Ham United and Fulham are set to battle it out for promising Brazilian youngster Pablo Maia.
The 20-year-old came through the ranks at Brazilian giants Sao Paulo and has 61 senior appearances to his name across all competitions. During that time, Maia has scored two goals and made one assist.
A defensive midfielder, Maia has shown excellent positional awareness and is a solid player with the ball at his feet. Also capable of doubling up as a centre-back, the 20-year-old certainly adds versatility to his list of talents.
The youngster’s performances have not gone unnoticed in Europe with both West Ham and Fulham keeping close tabs. While neither London outfit are among the top sides domestically nor on the continent, they could provide Maia with the stage to display and further hone his abilities as a footballer.
The Hammers, in particular, could do with a defensive midfielder given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Declan Rice. While the Brazilian starlet will add numbers to the roster, he is from the finished product. Maia can be, at best, described as a long-term potential addition to the Hammers’ roster.
Fulham, meanwhile, landed Joao Palhinha last summer, and the Portuguese ace has gone on to become a key cog in Marco Silva’s side. Nathaniel Chalobah is the only other specialist defensive midfielder in the Cottagers’ squad and bringing in Maia would be an upgrade.
The Premier League newcomers have impressed this season, and a strong second half to the season should see them secure top-flight football for another season. It gives Fulham a solid base to build on and also attract better talent.
Maia is also a force to be reckoned with in the air and can physically hold his own. His ability to strike the ball from a distance also makes him a goalscoring threat and could be something that West Ham or Fulham can make use of on set pieces.
The 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder certainly is one to watch and appears to have a bright future in the game. Whether it be Fulham or West Ham, a move to London would be a wise decision and will give him the stage he craves to showcase his abilities.
