“Imminent” West Ham signing Luiz Felipe set a record in La Liga last season as data experts make a big transfer claim.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move to sign Brazil-born central defender Luiz Felipe from Real Betis.
The rumours ignited shortly after the arrival of new technical director Tim Steidten at West Ham.
And things appear to have progressed rapidly if reports are to be believed.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the Hammers could announce a deal to sign Felipe this week.
The 26-year-old, who has been capped once by Italy, has been playing under Manuel Pellegrini at Betis since the ex West Ham boss signed him from Lazio last summer.
Pellegrini shipping out hot headed defender to his old club?
But he could be on the move to West Ham after just one season in La Liga.
And one of the reasons Betis might be open to letting him move on will concern West Ham fans.
Because “imminent” West Ham signing Felipe set a La Liga record last season as data experts make a big transfer claim.
Football analysts WhoScored, powered by Opta data, have revealed a worrying statistic about Felipe.
He had the worst disciplinary record in the Spanish top flight last term, racking up three red cards, the most in the entire division.
“Imminent” West Ham signing Luiz Felipe set a La Liga record last season as data experts make big transfer claim
WhoScored has also reiterated claims that West Ham are set to sign the former Brazil youth international in a £17m deal.
“No player was sent off more times (3) than Luiz Felipe in La Liga last season,” WhoScored reports.
“He looks set to join West Ham in a deal worth €20m (£17m).”
Felipe also picked up 11 yellows and a red in his last season at Lazio.
The stat will concern fans as the Prem will be a step up from La Liga in terms of pace and the quality of opposition most weeks.
Hammers do need a new centre-back but stat will concern fans as the Prem is a step up
El Chiringuito de Jugones claimed Felipe was a firm transfer target for West Ham and that the east Londoners had made a concrete move to sign him back at the start of July.
That was the same time Steidten took up his new post at West Ham.
West Ham definitely need a new centre-back this summer. Both Nayef Aguerd and Kurt Zouma are proving to be injury prone, Angelo Ogbonna turns 36 next season and Craig Dawson departed in January.
The jury is also still out on Thilo Kehrer as a centre-back in the Premier League – although he did improve dramatically towards the end of his debut campaign.
West Ham have also been linked with moves for Jonathan Tah and Harry Maguire.
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