Tottenham are reportedly battling West Ham United to sign Pablo Maia from Sao Paulo in the January transfer window.
That’s according to IG Esporte who claim that Tottenham boss Antonio Conte wants to bring the 20-year-old midfielder to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this winter.
This will be an interesting one to keep an eye on this winter.
The thing is, IG Esporte claim that Sao Paulo are reluctant to let him leave in January. In spite of that, the Hammers and Spurs will still try to prise him away from the Brazilian club…
Tottenham are battling West Ham to sign brilliant £9 million midfielder in January
Pablo Maia was born in Brasoplois Brazil in January 2002.
He began his career with Independente de Limeira as an 11-year-old before moving to Portuguesa Santista in 2016.
Maia then joined Sao Paulo in and the young midfielder has not looked back since, making 61 appearances for the Brazilian giants.
He is a defensive midfielder by trade and excels at breaking up the opposition’s play through the middle of the park. He has been labelled a ‘mini Casemiro’ by Football Talent Scout.
Maia’s contract with Sao Paulo expires in 12 month’s time, and the Brazilian side are trying to move him on in the January transfer window, rather than risk losing him for nothing this time next year (UOL).
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.
Pablo Maia would be a great addition for the Hammers in my opinion.
However, with Tottenham battling West Ham for the 20-year-old, the East London outfit will definitely have our work cut-out this winter.
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