West Ham close in on first summer transfer as £13m-rated star 'accepts' offer

West Ham are closing in on their first summer transfer with the Brazilian footballer Fabricio Bruno said to be in advanced talks with a move to the London Stadium. The Irons, who finished their 2023/24 in ninth position, will go into the summer transfer window with a new head coach at the helm.

David Moyes is not to have his contract renewed this summer with former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui due to be confirmed as the new manager today (Thursday 23 May). It would appear, however, that the Spanish manager has already been working behind the scenes to secure the Irons’ first transfer this window with Flamengo receiving a €15m (£13m) offer for their centre-back Bruno.

The Italian transfers specialist Fabrizio Romano has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to detail: “West Ham are in advanced talks to sign Brazilian centre back Fabricio Bruno from Flamengo. He’s in the shortlist as ExWHUEmployee called, talks are now progressing to make it happen.

“Fabricio Bruno already accepted the move, WHUFC Director Tim Steidten is working on it.”

This post has been further backed up by the Brazilian journalist Vene Casagrande who said on his YouTube channel (22 May): “I really like him, but this proposal is irrefutable. The player is already 28 years old. I think it is very difficult for Flamengo to receive another proposal like this.

“Many fans have criticised me for praising Fabricio Bruno and I don’t know why because Fabricio Bruno killed it in the Flamengo shirt since he arrived at Flamengo. A proposal like this one, for me, is irrefutable. It’s coming now, he’s for sale now and from what I found out there at Flamengo, the deal is very close to being signed and he’s going to sign a five-year contract with the English team.

“Everything is well on its way, it’s just a matter of time. Fabricio Bruno says goodbye to Flamengo and (will) play for West Ham in England.”

Bruno, 28, has been with Flamengo since 2022, joining from Red Bull Grantino in a deal worth €2.5million. His current contract should see him remain at Flamengo until December 2025, but the Brazilian international - who made his debut against England in March - may soon be signing a five-year contract with the Stratford club once the transfer window opens up.