- Julen Lopetegui arrived at West Ham after the departure of David Moyes
- It appears the former Real Madrid boss is ready to make his first signing of the summer
- Their second goal was one of the big FA Cup goals… Where have this Man United been all season? Listen to the It all starts! podcast
According to reports, West Ham are close to signing their first player under Julen Lopetegui after agreeing a deal worth £10 million plus add-ons for Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno.
Bruno, who earned his first senior international cap against England in March, plays for Brazilian side Flamengo after joining the club in 2022 for just over £2million.
According to Fabrizio Romanothe centre-back, 28, will become the first Hammers signing under Lopetegui, who joined the east London club at the end of the season, replacing former manager David Moyes.
West Ham enjoyed great success under Moyes, regularly qualifying for Europe and winning the Europa Conference League in 2023.
However, after a season of inconsistency – which saw the Irons finish ninth in the Premier League and fourteen points clear of European qualification – the club decided on a change of stewardship ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
West Ham ‘have agreed a deal worth £10m plus extras for Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno’
The international centre-back is expected to be the first signing under new boss Julen Lopetegui
Bruno made his debut for Brazil against England in March and defended well in the 1-0 win
The Hammers, who raised £105m from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer, have invested wisely following the England midfielder’s departure, luring stars such as Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse to the London Stadium.
Former Real Madrid and Spain boss Lopetegui, whose job will be to establish West Ham as a team that consistently challenges and qualifies for European football, has clearly identified defense as an area that needs strengthening this summer.
The Hammers conceded 74 goals in the Premier League last season, more than any other team in the top half of the table.
It led to West Ham finishing the season with the sixth worst goal difference in the league, showing that the club’s success came mainly from outscoring their opponents.
Following his arrival, Bruno would become the club’s fifth senior centre-back, joining Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna.