After voicing his disappointment at the team’s woeful defending in pre-season, Julen Lopetegui has launched a move for a Brazilian defender.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague warned West Ham stars Julen Lopetegui has a ruthless streak over the summer.
When telling Hammers fans what they can expect from their new head coach, Balague revealed Lopetegui does not suffer fools in getting his teams where he wants them to be.
Lopetegui has already been brutally honest with his West Ham players.
After consecutive 3-1 defeats to Wolves and Palace in the US, Lopetegui pulled no punches.
“(The performances showed) that we have 15 days in front of us to keep on working very hard and to try to evolve the players we have as soon as possible, and the new players, too,” Lopetegui said.
“We have to analyse and ensure we are able to do better, to defend better and don’t concede easy goals. I think we have to change this.”
Lopetegui identified West Ham’s porous defence as his top priority when he arrived at the London Stadium.
And it’s now wonder after the team conceded a Premier League club record 74 goals last season.
Lopetegui saw a move for Brazilian centre-back Fabricio Bruno collapse.
Lopetegui to rip up entire West Ham defence?
He then signed Max Kilman for £40m and the club has been locked in talks to bring in Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back.
Another centre-back is wanted too with Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd both being told they can leave.
One position that looked safe, though, was left-back.
Emerson Palmieri has been one of West Ham’s better performers after a difficult start to life at the club following his move from Chelsea.
Beyond him the Hammers have little depth at left-back with only ageing Aaron Cresswell to back Emerson up.
But the Brazilian-born Italian international saw his own form dip in the second half of last season.
Emerson has even been linked with a move away to the likes of AC Milan.
Having worked with Lopetegui from the start of pre-season, it may speak volumes then that the Hammers are allegedly planning to sign a new left-back.
Ruthless Lopetegui launches surprise move for left-back
Ruthless Lopetegui has launched a surprise West Ham move for a Brazilian defender.
According to UOL, West Ham have made an approach to Monaco about signing Caio Henrique.
The 27-year-old former Fluminense and Gremio star has been capped by Brazil.
The alleged West Ham target spent four years on the books of Atletico Madrid but only made a single appearance before signing for Monaco in 2020.
West Ham have reportedly asked Monaco about the conditions to sign Henrique but have not yet made an official bid.
The report also states that Nottingham Forest are rivalling West Ham for Henrique.
If the claims are accurate it would suggest Lopetegui is not comfortable with his left-back options.
Signing a new centre-back and Wan-Bissaka are West Ham’s top priorities.
But Henrique’s situation could be one to watch should the Hammers manage that in the coming days and weeks.
One note of caution for West Ham should be that Henrique has returned from a year out of football following an ACL injury.
What would Caio Henrique bring to West Ham?
Originally a midfielder, Henrique transitioned into a full-back. So he possesses good technical ability and dribbling skills. His background as a midfielder helps him maintain possession and play out from the back effectively.
The West Ham target is known for his offensive prowess, frequently joining attacks and providing width on the left flank.
His set-piece delivery is one of his biggest assets too. Henrique is often involved in set-pieces for his crossing ability to create scoring opportunities from corners and free-kicks.
This is worth noting given Cresswell is unlikely to get much game time and James Ward-Prowse’s position in the team is in question.
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