Brazilian defender Luizao joined West Ham United on a free transfer from Sao Paulo way back in January 2023.
West Ham reportedly rejected bids for Luizao back in the January transfer window, and we apparently did the same in the summer.
Luizao is still yet to play a first-team game for West Ham, and the Hammers allegedly want to sell him for around £4 million.
In fact, in the summer, West Ham rejected a £2.5 million bid for the centre-back from Brazilian club Corinthians.
So the Hammers clearly value him enough not to just get rid of him for a nominal fee.
However, he hasn’t even had a sniff of any first-team minutes yet, nor has he even been involved with the match-day squads.
At the same time, he’s featuring regularly for the under-21s, and has actually been playing really well.
So what is the real issue? I don’t understand Luizao’s current situation – something has to change, and fast.
Curious case of West Ham defender Luizao
Whilst he hasn’t featured for the first-team yet, he has shown some really promising signs for the under-21s at times last season.
He has showcased his aggressive and tenacious tackling on numerous occasions, and has proven that he is extremely combative in the air.
On paper, he has all of the physical attributes required to succeed at senior level in the Premier League.
However, there must be something about the 22-year-old’s game that isn’t up to the levels required.
The move to bring the young Brazilian to the London Stadium was a surprise at the time, and it looks even stranger now.
So what plan of action should the Hammers take with Luizao? He can’t play in the under-21s for the rest of his career now can he!
West Ham should just sell Luizao
It’s clear to see that Luizao isn’t anywhere near being ready to play first-team football for West Ham – Julen Lopetegui would have given him a chance during pre-season if he was.
I’m not suggesting that he doesn’t deserve an opportunity – we don’t really know one way or another whether he’s good enough for the Premier League.
He was a bizarre signing from West Ham in the first place.
If the Hammers owners receive an offer in January or next summer worth anywhere near the £4 million they apparently value him at, they should sell him without a second thought.
Luizao has been playing well for West Ham’s under-21s, but the gulf in class between youth football and senior football is huge.
The Brazilian was a really strange signing in the first place, and I fully expect him to leave the club within the next 12 months.
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