West Ham United are weighing the option of loaning out central defender Luizao this summer, with Fluminense and RB Bragantino showing interest from Brazil, and Turkey’s Antalyaspor also keen on the defender. Despite being part of the U21 squad last season, Luizao has yet to make his first-team debut for the Hammers.
While the club is keen on retaining him for financial reasons, they acknowledge that he isn’t ready for first-team action, especially with homegrown talent Kaelan Casey nearing a breakthrough and the club actively seeking another central defender.
Under director of football Tim Steidten, West Ham are moving in a new direction with its recruitment and development strategies ahead of the new season. It’s fair to assume that the purchase of the Brazilian CB is not the sort of transfer which would be sanctioned under the current regime given the players inability to make the step up.
The Hammers prefer that Luizao continues his development in Europe in the hope that he’ll improve under the watchful eye of club scouts. However, if a suitable European offer doesn’t materialise, loaning him to a Brazilian club remains a viable and cost-effective alternative, given the minimal financial investment in acquiring the player.
Luizão joined the Hammers in January 2023 from São Paulo.