West Ham are on the cusp of signing their first player under Julen Lopetegui after agreeing a deal worth £10million plus add-ons for Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno, according to reports.
Bruno, who earned his first senior international cap against England in March, plays for Brazilian outfit Flamengo, having joined the club just over £2m in 2022.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the centre-half, 28, is set to 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 a wealth of success under Moyes, frequently 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 14 points shy of European qualification — the club decided on a change of stewardship ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
West Ham ‘have agreed a deal worth £10m plus add-ons for Brazilian defender Fabricio Bruno’
The international centre-half is set to become the first signing under new boss Julen Lopetegui
Bruno made his senior debut for Brazil against England in March, defending well in the 1-0 win
The Hammers, who picked up £105m from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer, have invested wisely following the England midfielder’s exit, luring stars including Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse to the London Stadium.
Former Real Madrid and Spain boss Lopetegui, whose task will be to establish West Ham as a team consistently challenging and qualifying for European football, has clearly identified defence as an area to strengthen this summer.
The Hammers conceded 74 goals in the Premier League last campaign, 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 primarily came from out-scoring their opposition.
Following his arrival, Bruno would become the fifth senior centre-back at the club alongside Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Angelo Ogbonna.
