Report: West Ham now lining up move to sign £9 million defensive midfielder Pablo Maia in January

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West Ham United allegedly want to sign talented Sao Paulo midfielder Pablo Maia in the January transfer window.

That’s according to a report from Brazilian outlet UOL who claim that the Hammers will have to pay around £9 million in order to sign the 20-year-old ace.

The upcoming January transfer window will be a hugely important one for David Moyes.

The Scot has to add one or two top-class signings to his ranks at the London Stadium.

However, club insiders have suggested that the jury is still out as to whether he will be trusted with further funds after his £170 million summer splurge.

If Moyes is given funds to improve his squad, the addition of a central midfielder who can zip the ball about should be an absolute must.

And it seems as though that’s exactly the type of player the West Ham boss has his eye on…

West Ham eyeing Pablo Maia swoop

UOL reckon that the 20-year-old is on the Hammers’ radar ahead of the January transfer window.

Maia’s contract with Sao Paulo expires in 12 month’s time. So the Brazilian club will surely be forced to cash in on him, if West Ham meet his £9 million valuation.

Sao Paulo chief Muricy Ramalho offered an insight into what Maia is all about as a player, when speaking to Brazilian website Sampi earlier this year:

Pablo Maia plays as the (deep-lying) midfielder. He gives security to our defence. He has a good pass too. He’s not just about marking (opposition forwards). Nowadays, the midfielder has to play too, and he has a good pass. Of course, he does the simple things but he keeps the ball. He gives stability to Sao Paulo.

The 20-year-old sounds like exactly the kind of player the Hammers need in the middle of the park.

Moyes absolutely must sign an upgrade on Tomas Soucek, if he is to guide us to any kind of success over the next few years.

And West Ham signing Pablo Maia in the January transfer window would be a real forward step for the club in my opinion.

He has been described as a ‘Mini-Casemiro’ by Football Talent Scout. And if he goes on to emulate his fellow countryman, the Hammers will have themselves a snip at £9 million.

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