West Ham are closing in on their first signing of the summer as star accepts move to the London Stadium claims Fabrizio Romano.
Julen Lopetegui will be officially unveiled as West Ham’s new manager on Thursday.
And it seems his first new signing won’t be too far behind.
West Ham currently have just 22 senior players from a possible 25 registered with the Premier League.
That number will shrink to 16 or 17 when five or six of West Ham’s out of contract players leave this summer.
Lopetegui has been working behind the scenes with technical director Tim Steidten to put together West Ham’s summer transfer plan.
Steidten Brazil trip bears fruit?
It was reported last week that Steidten was prioritising signing two new centre-backs and a striker for Lopetegui.
Steidten recently travelled to Brazil where he took in four matches and scouted several players.
Now the Hammers may be about to see the fruits of that trip.
Because West Ham are closing in on their first signing as star accepts move claims Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian transfer insider says West Ham are in advanced talks to sign Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno.
The Brazilian centre-back has already accepted the move according to Romano.
West Ham close on first signing as Bruno ‘accepts move’
All that remains is for Steidten to finalise the deal with Flamengo.
“West Ham are in advanced talks to sign Brazilian centre back Fabrício Bruno from Flamengo,” Romano said on X.
“He’s in the shortlist as ExWHUEmployee called, talks are now progressing to make it happen.
“Fabrício Bruno already accepted the move, West Ham director Tim Steidten is working on it.”
This would mark an impressively efficient start to the summer window for West Ham.
Fans are used to seeing the club scramble around at the last minute to bring players in.
So this makes a very refreshing change.
But who is Bruno and what would he bring to West Ham?
The 28-year-old is 6ft 4in and very much a physical defender.
He lacks pace but makes up for it with concentration, tackling and passing his major strengths.
Bruno has been a star performer for Flamengo in the last year and that has earned him his first senior call-ups for Brazil – one of which came against England.
Second defender bid in one day
The Hammers are also said to have launched an official bid for another defender today.
According to reports from Turkey, West Ham have offered £22m to try and beat Arsenal to a left-back from Fenerbahce.
Hammers News exclusively revealed recently the name of the striker on a list of stars Lopetegui wants West Ham to sign for him.
West Ham should have plenty to spend too with the club expected to announce record £368m turnover.
Of course the Hammers do have a number of quality players already in the building that Lopetegui can build his side around.
And a journalist recently revealed there is one player Lopetegui is looking forward to working with most.
The new manager has also laid out his football philosophy and style in fine detail ahead of his big Hammers unveiling.
You can check out Bruno in action below.