A huge dampener has been put on Luizao hopes at the London Stadium and it begs a big question over West Ham United’s January transfers.
The winter window is fast approaching and the rumour mill is starting to whir into action. West Ham are already being linked with a host of players despite their summer splurge.
David Moyes signed eight players in the summer window, seven of them new arrivals.
But given that West Ham were already three players short and saw several more first team players depart, Moyes still has a lack of quality and depth in certain areas of his team.
That has certainly showed on the pitch in the Premier League with the Hammers languishing just one point off the bottom three.
Defence is one area of concern. Kurt Zouma has a history of knee injuries and is out until mid-January having had an operation to flush the area during the World Cup break.
And Craig Dawson is said to be desperate to leave for family reasons as he wants to move to a club further north.
Nayef Aguerd’s return will help but he too has had his well documented injury issues so far.
So the impending arrival of Brazilian centre-back Luizao from Sao Paolo was a huge boost for the Hammers ahead of the window.
Luizao had his medical on Monday and said his goodbyes to Sao Paolo on social media ahead of confirmation of his move to West Ham (Sky Sports).
He looks a tough, athletic and no nonsense style defender – just what West Ham need.
But a huge dampener has been put on Luizao hopes and it begs a big question over West Ham United’s January transfers.
A West Ham insider has told Claret and Hugh that not only is Luizao not being seen as a signing for the first team squad, he is regarded as a ‘bit of a punt’.
“He is not being seen in any way as a first team player and will link up with the development squad on is arrival,” Hugh Southon claims of Luizao.
“He is very much one for the future who one inside declared as a good prospect but right now a bit of a punt.”
If that really is the case then West Ham will surely have plans in place to bring in a defender that IS ready for the first team straight away.
Nobody should be kidded on to thinking the Hammers are too good to become embroiled in a relegation dogfight.
The system so far this season simply does not work and the team has been woeful defensively while only scoring 12 goals all term – the joint second lowest in the top flight.
If Dawson is distracted and needs to leave, then the club must get a defender in who is ready from the get go if Luizao is not going to be considered for first team duty anytime soon.
Defence is clearly not the only area of concern at West Ham either so the owners may have to relent on their apparent stance of denying Moyes any further serious funds until he proves he can make the summer signings work.
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