West Ham United will be eager to bolster their ranks after an underwhelming season last time out.
The Hammers finished ninth in the Premier League table and have missed out on European qualification.
West Ham will also be getting a new era underway, with Julen Lopetegui replacing David Moyes in the Hammers dugout.
Now, it looks as though West Ham are edging ever closer to a very early first signing of the summer.
In recent days, speculation has intensified regarding the Hammers and Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno.
Fabrizio Romano declared “here we go” on Bruno to West Ham earlier this week, claiming agreement had been reached on a £11.5million move.
Now, Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth has provided an update on the state of play involving the 28-year-old and the Hammers.
What has Dharmesh Sheth said about West Ham and Fabricio Bruno?
Sheth told GiveMeSport: “This one looks really close now. He’s not a young player; he’s got a lot of experience and two caps for Brazil.
“He made his Brazil debut against England, actually, back in March, and it’s a player that looks like a Tim Steidten signing as well.
“He would have scoured the globe as he would have done in that role as technical and sporting director at West Ham United and in collusion with the rest of the recruitment team and, of course, the incoming manager Julen Lopetegui.
“This one looks like it’s when and not if, and this will be Julen Lopetegui’s first signing as West Ham boss.”
Who is West Ham target Fabricio Bruno?
Bruno came through the ranks at Cruzeiro and has played for a number of Brazilian clubs including Chapecoense and RB Bragantino.
The 6ft 4in powerhouse moved to Flamengo in 2022 and has made 114 competitive appearances to date for the club, registering five goals and three assists.
Bruno ‘has made more accurate passes than any other defender since the start of the 2023 Brasileirao season (2,278)’, according to Whoscored.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender David Luiz recently told Mundo RN that the two-cap Brazil international is ready for the challenge.
“I can’t talk until it’s done,” he said. “But what I can tell you is that both he and many of the players here have the quality to play for any team in the world.”