Now technical director Tim Steidten has submitted bids to bring two new European-owned Brazilians to West Ham.
West Ham are under big pressure to sign homegrown players to satisfy Premier League rules.
But the club’s summer transfer activity thus far has revolved almost entirely around signing Brazilians.
Now another two can be added to West Ham’s ever-growing list it seems.
Tim Steidten spent time in Brazil last summer and in January scoping out players.
The German has been back there this summer too working on a host of signings for West Ham’s new head coach Julen Lopetegui.
First he tried to bag Corinthians’ exciting winger Wesley Gassova without success.
Then Steidten moved on to Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno. The Hammers secured a £12.5m deal for the 28-year-old centre-back but the move collapsed.
West Ham’s Samba revolution
West Ham’s attentions quickly turned to Palmeiras winger Luis Guilherme.
An on-off saga has developed but last night Fabrizio Romano provided a positive update on what’s said to be a £25m deal.
Reports emanating from Brazil then claimed Guilherme has been released for a medical with West Ham.
No sooner had that news emerged than the Hammers were already being linked with a couple of his compatriots.
Now Steidten has bid to bring two new European-owned Brazilians to West Ham.
That’s according to new reports emerging overnight.
Now Steidten bids for two new Brazilians to West Ham
West Ham’s Samba obsession continues unabated with reports claiming the Hammers have bid for centre-back Vitao – who is owned by Shakhtar Donetsk.
Vitao, 24, is originally from Palmeiras but was signed by Shakhtar after one appearance when Paulo Fonseca was their manager.
He is still owned by the Ukranian club but is playing on loan back in Brazil for Internacional due to the war in Ukraine.
According to Revista Colorada, West Ham have bid around £6.8m for Vitao and face competition from Villarreal.
“West Ham, from England, offered 8 million euros (£6.8m) for the defender,” the report states.
“The English club decided to bet on the Colorado athlete after the negotiation for Fabricio Bruno, from Flamengo, was not completed.”
Hammers bid for Vitao and Rwan Seco
It is also stated that a fee of around £10m is wanted for Vitao, who had previous interest from ex West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis.
Overnight it emerged that the Hammers have also bid for Brazilian forward Rwan Seco – also known as Rwan Cruz – of Bulgarian side Ludogorets.
According to Brazilian journalist Andre Hernan, West Ham have bid around £7.5m for the 23-year-old ex Santos and Vasco da Gama forward.
“Former Santos and Vasco, Rwan Seco receives an offer of 9 million Euros (£7.5m) from West Ham in England!” Hernan reports.
“The English club awaits a response from Ludogorets in Bulgaria, the Brazilian’s club, to carry out the operation!
“Last season there were 17 goals and 7 assists!”
Steidten clearly wants a Samba revolution at West Ham.
And Lopetegui must be on board with the plan.
Two years ago Vitao spoke to The Express about the harrowing escape he and several Brazilian teammates had to make from Shakhtar after the Russian invasion.
He has played 50 games for Interacional since, scoring twice.
Seco Cruz has 19 goals in 50 appearances for Ludogorets, including two in Europe.
The forward is 6ft 2in and wears the number 99.
You can check him out in action in the video below.
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