'Here we go' - West Ham beat Newcastle United and Wolves to £11.5m transfer
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West Ham are set to announce the first signing of the Julen Lopetegui era at the club.
West Ham are reported to have finalised a transfer deal to bring Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno to the London Stadium in a statement coup for the London club. The move marks the first of the new Julen Lopetegui era.
Refreshing an ageing Hammers defence is believed to be a priority for the incoming Spaniard and the addition of the 28-year-old is a step towards that goal. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that the move will be sealed 'in the next hours'.
West Ham are believed to have forked out £10.2 million with £1.28 million of add-ons for the Brazilian star, who made his international debut earlier this year in a friendly against England. Bruno has been with Flamengo since 2022 having come through the Cruzeiro academy in his home country.
Taking to social media platform X, Romano wrote: "ICYMI: West Ham complete first signing for Lopetegui and it’s Brazilian CB Fabrício Bruno.
"Fabrício Bruno to West Ham, here we go! Verbal agreement now in place between West Ham and Flamengo for 28-year-old centre-back. Exclusive details: €12m fixed fee plus €1.5m add-ons. Brazilian CB will be first signing for Lopetegui at West Ham."
Bruno still has another year and a half on the Flamengo deal signed when making a €2.5 million move two years ago but the Brazilian club appear to have given a Premier League switch the green light as they look to cash in on a healthy profit.
Bruno is not part of the Brazilian national side for the Copa America this summer and news of his transfer comes after links between West Ham and a move to reunite Wolves man Max Kilman with Lopetegui.
Earlier this year, Trial Football reported that West Ham's Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Wolves also held interest in Bruno - although the Magpies have turned their centre-back recruitment efforts towards free agents Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly recently. Serie A side and Europa League winners Atalanta had also been named as an interested party.