Real Betis are ‘thinking about selling’ defender Luiz Felipe to West Ham, with the Hammers having made an initial bid for him.
That’s according to El Chiringuito de Jugones, who say West Ham have made an offer of €20m to sign the player this summer.
West Ham are keen to strengthen their squad after winning the Europa Conference League this season and will have the funds to do so once they sell Declan Rice to Arsenal in a €100m plus deal.
Strengthening a defence which conceded 55 goals in the league last season may be a priority, particularly with the likes of Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna spending spells on the treatment table over the last year.
That, it seems, has led them to Betis and 26-year-old Luiz Felipe, who has been impressing since Manuel Pellegrini arrived at the club.
According to El Chiringuito, West Ham have made an offer for the Brazilian, with Fichajes adding that the reported €20m fee would be a ‘hefty sum’ for them.
They add that such a bid would leave Betis at a crossroads as it would bring in much needed money but also leave them needing to replace a ‘key defensive player’.
Thus he’s a name to keep an eye on in the coming weeks, with West Ham seemingly keen and ready to spend their newfound cash once Rice departs.
