West Ham United’s first signing of the summer window looks all but confirmed as he’s pulled from the line-up for a key game.
David Moyes was nicknamed ‘Dithering Dave’ as a result of his hesitancy in the transfer market.
That wasn’t just during his time at West Ham, it stretched all the way back to the Everton days.
So West Ham fans might nee to find an accurate moniker for technical director Tim Steidten.
‘Super Tim’ is ok but perhaps ‘Speedy Steidten’ would be more apt.
Because the German isn’t hanging around getting West Ham deals done since taking full control following Moyes’ departure.
The first three of what is likely to be eight or nine summer signings have all but been secured ahead of the opening of the international window on July 1st.
Speedy Steidten bags first signing
Steidten’s haste is understandable given Julen Lopetegui has just 16 or 17 – depending on what happens with Aaron Cresswell – players at his disposal ahead of pre-season.
Hammers News reported on the fact Steidten was prioritising signing two new central defenders and a forward for Lopetegui.
Last week we reported on Fabrizio Romano’s claim that West Ham were working on a deal to sign centre-back Fabricio Bruno from Flamengo.
The 28-year-old was said to have already agreed West Ham terms and Steidten was in ‘advanced talks’ to finalise the transfer.
A respected Brazilian football journalist then confirmed the £12.8m West Ham signing but reported there was a caveat to the move.
Reporter Vene Casagrande stated Bruno would first have to play in Flamengo’s Copa do Brasil clash with Amazonas – which he duly did – and an important Copa Libertadores match against Millonarios on Wednesday before signing a five-year deal with the Hammers.
Hammers News stated West Ham, the player and Flamengo were taking a big risk if that was the case.
Bruno all but confirmed as he’s pulled from key game
Well now the first West Ham signing is all but confirmed as he’s pulled from the line-up for that key game.
Casagrande took to social media overnight to reveal Bruno has been pulled out of the Millonarios match.
“Close to being sold by Flamengo, Fabricio Bruno will not start against Millonarios,” Casagrande confirmed to his near 1 million followers.
“Leo Pereira, injured, is out. David Luiz takes the number 15 spot.
“Probable Flamengo: Rossi, Varela, Léo Ortiz, David Luiz and Ayrton Lucas; Allan (Pulgar), De la Cruz, Arrascaeta and Gerson; Cebolinha and Pedro.
“This could be Fabricio Bruno’s last game for Flamengo.”
What Bruno will bring to West Ham
It certainly makes a refreshing change to see West Ham operating with speed and efficiency in the transfer market.
But there have, understandably, been concerns raised over Bruno’s age.
Usually Brazilian talents make their way to Europe in their late teens, early 20s. So West Ham signing a 28-year-old who has only ever played in Brazil is something of a gamble.
Bruno stands 6ft 4in tall and is very much a physical, brave, whole-hearted defender. He has everything needed to become a real Hammers cult hero if he can adapt.
Some West Ham fans feel he appears to lack pace, which is a concern coming into the quickest and toughest league in the world. But those fears are unfounded as Bruno is reportedly one of the fastest centre-backs in the league.
West Ham are getting a real leader of men whose key strengths are positioning, concentration, tackling and passing.
He is the epitome of no-nonsense. Just what West Ham need after conceding 74 goals last season, the most they’ve ever shipped in the Premier League.
Bruno has been a standout performer, not just for Flamengo but in the Brazilian league in the last year.
That earned him his first senior call-ups for Brazil – one of which came against England this year.
You can check out Bruno in action in the video below.