West Ham will have to wait to sign tigerish Declan Rice replacement Pablo Maia says his agent amid reported interest from David Moyes.
Hammers head of recruitment Rob Newman has recently been over in Brazil making connections with clubs.
And that is believed to have led to West Ham having their first January signing all but done with Sao Paulo defender Luizao on his way (Goal Brasil).
There has been speculation recently that he could be joined at West Ham by his 20-year-old teammate Pablo Maia.
The 5ft 10in midfielder has shades of Ngolo Kante about his game, reading the play, breaking up attacks and helping his side spring their own offensives.
Brazilian outlet UOL claim the Hammers will have to pay just £9 million in order to sign Maia despite there being an alleged £43m release clause.
And the player himself admitted last week that playing in the Premier League would be a ‘dream’.
With question marks over the form of Tomas Soucek and long-term future of captain Rice, it is easy to see why Moyes and Newman are taking an interest in the Brazilian midfielder.
If he can adapt to the Premier League, Maia could turn out to be a capable heir in West Ham’s midfield.
But West Ham will have to wait to sign tigerish Rice replacement Maia says his agent amid reported interest.
“We have many queries,” Maia’s agent Junior Pedroso told UOL.
“He has caught the attention of the international market. But we are waiting to see if any club will formalise an offer.
“Anyway, he is maturing. And it won’t be bad to stay another six months in Sao Paulo.
“The release clause is high, but it doesn’t match reality. In the European winter window, it is difficult for a club to have a budget for a young player who still needs to adapt.”
So it seems if West Ham do want Maia then Moyes will have to wait until the summer window.
By then his current Sao Paulo teammate Luizao will have been with the club for several months while full Brazil international Lucas Paqueta will also be around to help lure the midfielder to east London.
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