SHARE

Last week, rumours in Brazil claimed that West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena could become a target for Flamengo.

As his contract with the Hammers expires at the end of the season, the player was pointed out as a possible reinforcement for the Rio de Janeiro side.

It didn’t take long for part of the media to deny the rumours. Still last week, we covered a report from journalist Jorge Nicola claiming the player was too expensive for Flamengo, and in case he leaves West Ham, other European sides would be after him.

Now it’s ESPN Brasil who brings a story on Balbuena. And as they managed to speak to the player’s agent, his return to South America seems really ruled out for now.

Embed from Getty Images

“He is one of the captains of the team, he’s starting and wants to continue. I received many calls from journalists asking about Flamengo, but there’s no possibility of him returning to South America,” agent Augusto Paraja told ESPN.

The representative also claimed there’s no rush for the renewal: “He wants to continue in England, there’s no concern because of that.”

Given Balbuena’s regularity for West Ham this season, it was always obvious that he wouldn’t leave Europe so soon. Now it’s down to the Hammers to give him a new contract and avoid losing him for free at the end of the season.