West Ham may not be able to sign Pablo Maia from Sao Paulo in the January transfer window, according to a new report.

The Hammers have been linked with a potential swoop to sign the midfielder from the Brazilian club after agreeing a deal to bring Luizao into the club.

Brazilian outlet IG now reports, however, that Sao Paulo are intent on keeping Maia until the summer.

The club are said to believe that his value will only increase in the coming months and they feel they can get a bigger fee for him when the European summer window opens.

The Irons are reported to have made an approach to sign Maia – it has been widely reported the offer was for a loan deal – but Sao Paulo knocked that back.

There is also said to be interest from the likes of Southampton and Fulham but it remains to be seen if Sao Paulo’s resolve is tested in the coming weeks.