Julen Lopetegui has yet to be announced as the manager of West Ham United, but it appears that the club are still pressing ahead with securing players ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window.
Tim Steidten was instrumental in getting the likes of Mo Kudus and Edson Alvarez et al in last summer, albeit the Hammers went into the week of the opening game of the 2023/24 season as the only club that hadn’t signed anyone.
The East Londoners’ technical director clearly doesn’t want lightning to strike twice in that regard, and that would explain why he is apparently working on deals now.
??? West Ham are in advanced talks to sign Brazilian centre back Fabrício Bruno from Flamengo.
He’s in the shortlist as @ExWHUEmployee called, talks are now progressing to make it happen.
Fabrício Bruno already accepted the move, #WHUFC director Tim Steidten is working on it. pic.twitter.com/jyN4vIpu2X
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 22, 2024
According to CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Steidten is involved with trying to bring Brazilian centre-back, Fabricio Bruno, to the club.
The 28-year-old is a 6ft 4in hard man and Brazilian journalist, Leandro Conceicao, noted on his official X account that he is a speedy defender who is good in the one-on-one’s and is combative.
West Ham looking to change up their defence
With the likes of Kurt Zouma and others not impressing, particularly towards the end of the 2023/24 season, an experienced head with pace is just what is needed at the club.
It isn’t clear at this stage if Lopetegui has already had a say in which players he would like brought to the club, or if the strategy of the club moving forward is for Steidten to bring in those who he believes will do the business and the Spanish manager is the one who has to mould them into a formidable XI.
That would be more of a continental way of doing things, and may suit Lopetegui better, given that he would be more of a coach than a manager.
After an end to the last campaign which ended with a whimper, West Ham supporters will surely be hoping for an immediate improvement.