West Ham United and Real Betis are advancing in their negotiations for Luiz Felipe, with a €20 million deal on the cards.
According to MARCA, West Ham United are close to signing Luiz Felipe from Real Betis. The two clubs are advancing in negotiations after a recent report from Spain claimed a €20 million move is on the cards, with the 26-year-old Italian international likely to move to the Premier League.
David Moyes had wanted a new central defender in this window. And after exploring many options, he seems to close in on Luiz Felipe. The 26-year-old Italian international, who plies his trade with Real Betis, could move in this window, with the London Stadium appearing like his ideal destination.
After many disappointing performances last season, the Hammers wanted to bring a new centre-back to shore up the backline. At one stage, they were in the mix for relegation. But their late-season form avoided a catastrophic end to the campaign.
They have plenty of options at the back, but Moyes wants to upgrade over Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna. The duo had an underwhelming campaign, and there is enough room for improvement. A recent report from Spain claimed West Ham are set to sign Felipe from Real Betis in a €20 million deal.
Talks had been progressing between the two sides, and now they are discussing advanced terms to finalise the transfer. The Spanish club may have wanted to keep the 26-year-old Italian international on board ahead of the new campaign. But West Ham’s offer seems to suit their agenda.
Betis continues to operate on strict financial boundaries, and the reported €20 million injection could boost their transfer activity. They have already made a few bargain deals in the summer and may look for more. And West Ham and Felipe are advancing in their personal discussions.
Meanwhile, West Ham are unlikely to stop with the defender as they seek a new midfielder or two. James Ward-Prowse remains a key target alongside Denis Zakaria, with both stars considered replacements for the departing Declan Rice.
They could also look to bring a new forward as competition to Michail Antonio and possibly as a replacement for Gianluca Scamacca. The latter could depart West Ham after an underwhelming first season, but nothing has moved for the Italian.
I find West Ham activities in the transfer market rather baffling. My view is that O’Sullivan is a typical cockney negotiator. He loathes spending money and does his best to delay proceedings in the hope of achieving reductions in the fee. I believe he is the main problem why the Hammers are always missing out on players. The Coventry striker has gone to an Italian club. Why did after intense interest from the Hammers did they miss out. Why does Barnes go to Newcastle instead of the Hammers. I could go on at the many missed opportunities. Why are other clubs successfully completing transfers and the Hammers are not. I’m afraid Moynes should have been sacked. He continues his negative system. Why do the board tolerate this. He has lost good assistants ie Irvine. If the Hammers continue like this, they will pay the ultimate price.