Porto are allegedly concerned that West Ham United could potentially hijack their move to sign Brazilian centre-back Leo Ortiz this summer.
That’s according to a report from Correio de Manha (print edition June12th, page 15) who claim that Porto were leading the race to sign the Red Bull Bragantino defender.
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However, Porto reportedly may well drop out of the race now as they refuse to be drawn into a bidding war with West Ham and Fiorentina.
Hammers boss David Moyes was first linked with a move to sign the 26-year-old centre-back last week by Globo Esporte.
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It was suggested that Ortiz is available for around £8 million this summer (Globo Esporte).
And it seems as though West Ham are ready to swoop in for the Brazilian…
West Ham hijack Porto move to sign Leo Ortiz
Correio de Manha (print edition June12th, page 15) reckon that the Portuguese giants are fearful of the Hammers’ interest in signing the 26-year-old defender.
In fact, it is suggested that Porto could very well drop out of the race to sign Ortiz because that do not want to get enveloped in a bidding war for his signature.
Now, this is somewhat of a strange one as far as we’re concerned.
Nayef Aguerd is believed to be close to joining the East London club (L’Equipe). And it is debatable as to whether we need to sign another central defender on top of the Moroccan.
If Moyes does want to sign another centre-back though, have to say, the Scot should surely be aiming a lot higher than the Brazilian.
He stands at just 6ft 1in tall and is hardly the most physically imposing of centre-backs. The 26-year-old has decent pace but he is far from the quickest either.
The Premier League is the most frenetically passed, powerful and intense league in world football. Moving to England from Brazil may well be a tough thing to do for Ortiz.
If West Ham really are set to hijack Porto’s move to sign Leo Ortiz, then Moyes must rate the Brazilian highly. And if that’s the case, then we back the Scot’s judgement.
We must say though, it’s hard to envisage a scenario where the Brazilian rocks up at the London Stadium this summer.
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