English clubs are still to make approaches for Brazilian midfielder Walace, his agent has revealed.
Although the player had been much linked to a Premier League move in the January window, he ended up signing for Hamburg, where he’s adapted pretty quickly.
That’s why it was quite surprising to see English claims that clubs such as Everton and Leicester City would already be keen on taking him from Germany. As Stoke City have reportedly scouted him a few weeks ago, they were the third club to join this curious list of interested sides.
But speaking to Sport Witness on Wednesday, Walace’s agent Rogério Braun has claimed the Everton, Leicester and Stoke rumours are nothing but speculation.
“There was no contact from any of these clubs,” Braun told Sport Witness.
“Before we finished negotiating with Hamburg, we talked to some of these clubs. We know there is the interest. There was perhaps a doubt, or if there was no doubt, there was a matter of budget, because the January window is somewhat a peculiar window.
“Anyway, Walace ended up going to Hamburg, he’s now a Hamburg player, 100% focused on Hamburg. We haven’t bothered to listen to more offers, to try to leave Hamburg. The focus is really to play for Hamburg, to dedicate to Hamburg.”
Having interest from clubs such as Everton, Leicester and Stoke could be an opportunity for Walace’s advisors to rock the Hamburg boat, but that’s absolutely not their intention.
However, in the case these clubs really show up attempting to sign Walace in the summer window, that’s an issue the representative will sort out with the German side: “We are not offering him on the market. Now, if a concrete situation shows up and it happens because of his performance, for good or for bad, and he has to leave, then we sit down with Hamburg and talk.
“Little by little, I think there might be a new interest or a new club and we can talk. But this is not our focus at the moment.”
Since arriving in January, Walace has made an immediate impact in Germany. He’s started four games for Hamburg, and even scored on his debut as they beat RB Leipzig 3-0.
