The transfer window does not officially open for another five days but, already, West Ham United have found themselves at the centre of a rather strange story surrounding a member of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil World Cup squad.
While infamous club insider ExWhuEmployee reports that the Hammers are in discussions with Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry – the 6ft 3ins giant seemingly their top centre-back target at present – reports of a move for Flamengo powerhouse Leo Pereira appear more wide of the mark than one of Pablo Felipe’s shots.
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Leo Pereira’s agent was alleged to confirm an ‘offer’ from West Ham United, via reporter Pablo Oliveira. Check his X feed today though, around 24 hours later, and that original message is nowhere to be seen.
West Ham United are not going to sign Flamengo’s Leo Pereira
Vene Casagrande, one of the most respected sources in Brazilian football, clarifies the situation.
“Right now, there’s nothing regarding Leo Pereira,” Casagrande says on his YouTube channel. “The post mentioned Besiktas, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Cruz Azul, and Monterrey as some of the interested clubs.
“His agent is Ricardo Scheidt, but Scheidt hasn’t spoken to anyone. That’s the information; he hasn’t spoken with anyone. The person who reported this ended up deleting the post later, but by then it was too late.
“It had already gone viral.”
Casagrande believes that Oliveira was a few months behind the times regarding West Ham’s interest.
The Hammers were linked with Leo Pereira in January. There is nothing to suggest that interest is still present today, though.
Relegation means West Ham have little choice but to shift their focus to a new selection of central defensive targets. Hence their reported admiration for Dael Fry, free-agent Adam Webster and Stoke stalwart Ben Wilmott, in addition to Cardiff youngster Dylan Lawlor.
“These specific clubs were indeed interested in Leo Pereira at some point, but not now,” Casagrande explains. “He almost went to Besiktas a few times. FC Porto had also shown interest in the player before, but signed another defender at the time. West Ham also, and Cruz Azul and Monterrey have shown interest.
“But at this moment, guys, there’s nothing, absolutely nothing.”
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Rafael Scheidt rules out Hammers switch for Brazil defender
Jorge Nicola, another Brazilian reporter, contacted the aforementioned Rafael Scheidt and was told a similar story.
“Many people must have read or heard something about the topic since the information was released in the last few hours on social media. A reminder that a relegated West Ham would [reportedly] be one of the options,” Nicola says on his own YouTube channel.
“It’s the strangest thing; teams generally need to save money when they’re relegated to the Championship. So, what did I do? I contacted Ricardo Scheidt, Leo Pereira’s representative.
“[The agent told me]; ‘All those clubs have wanted Leo Pereira before, but that was at another time. For now, we have nothing.'”
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