Stoke City eye last-minute Luizao transfer as West Ham United exit update emerges.
Stoke City could enter the race for West Ham United defender Luizao before the 30 August transfer deadline, according to Felipe Silva.
The UOL Esporte journalist reported via X on Thursday (29 August) that the Championship club could formalise an offer for the Brazilian defender who has been linked with an exit throughout the summer window.
Corinthians had been in the race to secure the 22-year-old’s signature this summer, but their interest in signing Luizao has now ended with Hammers representatives disappearing from talks with the South American side.
As-yet-unnamed clubs from France and Belgium are also understood to join Stoke in holding an interest in the centre-back who is expected to exit before the window slams shut [Bruno Andrade, 28 August].
Will Luizao exit West Ham ahead of transfer deadline day at the London Stadium?
It is clear that Luizao is not part of Julen Lopetegui’s long-term plans at the London Stadium and while that remains the case, it is best for everyone involved if a new club can be found for the defender sooner rather than later.
Of course, West Ham will want to sell to the highest bidder. If they have decided to cut their ties with the Brazilian, they won’t care where he ends up as long as they earn a reasonable transfer fee for his services.
If Stoke do enter the race for his signature, it should only help drive up his asking price to have another team in contention. If a bidding war begins to break out in the final days of the window, it could see his valuation increase.
With the defensive reshuffle all but complete under Tim Steitden and Lopetegui, there doesn’t seem to be a place for Luizao in the first-team ranks, especially now that Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo have arrived.
