Rio de Janeiro journalist makes exciting new claim about a West Ham move for Brazilian wonderkid Lazaro after an opening bid was rejected.
David Moyes has made it clear he intends to be busy right up to transfer deadline day on September 1st.
The Scot has stated that he feels his West Ham side has gone “stale” and is keen to add more goals and assists to his team.
So West Ham links to a Flamengo attacking star make perfect sense, even if they did come somewhat out of the blue yesterday.
Reports circulated on Saturday that West Ham had moved to try and sign 20-year-old rising star Lazaro.
It was claimed an opening bid from the Hammers had been rejected by Flamengo.
But a Rio de Janeiro journalist has made an exciting new claim about the West Ham move for Brazilian wonderkid Lazaro after their opening bid was rejected.
Globo Esportes reporter Thales Soares was the one who broke the news of West Ham’s bid for Lazaro on Twitter.
And writing in a report on Globo Esportes, Soares says Flamengo are now in ongoing talks with West Ham in a bid to agree on a fee for the hugely exciting Lazaro.
“Flamengo is negotiating with West Ham, from England, the sale of Lázaro,” Soares writes on Globo Esportes, translated from Portuguese.
“The English club made an initial offer of 5 million pounds (approximately R$30 million), the Rio de Janeiro club asked for double the amount and talks are ongoing.
“West Ham wants to buy 100% of the rights to Lázaro, who is 20 years old and has established himself in Flamengo’s professionals (first team) this season.
“In all, the attacking midfielder has 58 games for the club and eight goals scored (with eight assists).
“The hiring window in England closes on the 1st of September. There is a possibility that, if the negotiation materialises, that Flamengo will not make the sale for 100% of the rights and keep some percentage for future sales (this translates as a sell-on clause should West Ham make a profit on Lazaro in the future). The English club can also offer bonuses for goals achieved.”
The move for Lazaro – full name Lázaro Vinícius Marques – makes even more sense based on Soares’ analysis of his versatility.
Moyes has made it clear he wants versatile players who can operate in a number of positions. And Soares says Lazaro has played in a number of attacking roles for Flamengo.
“On some occasions he was even used open on the left, as a winger, and made good matches,” Soares added.
“In recent games, with Dorival Júnior, he has been used as a striker and has also had good performances.”
Lazaro will undoubtedly seek advice from his teammate, the former Chelsea and Arsenal defender David Luiz, on what life is like in London.
The likes of Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano have also picked up on the story coming out of Brazil adding further credibility to the claims.
“West Ham approaches Flamengo for offensive midfielder Lázaro,” Romano said on Twitter.
“£6m bid opening proposal has been rejected, Flamengo want more than this as @thalesoares reported.
“Negotiations will continue as many clubs are keen on signing Lázaro.”
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