West Ham and Nottingham Forest have both been linked with Flamengo defender Léo Pereira before, and fresh claims from Brazil suggest the English clubs remain part of a growing list of admirers.
The 30-year-old centre-back has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the last 18 months. He helped Flamengo win the league and Copa Libertadores in 2025, established himself as the leader of one of South America’s strongest defensive units and recently earned his first senior Brazil call-up.
Those achievements have naturally increased interest from abroad. Earlier reports linked both West Ham and Forest with the defender, while Everton were also recently named as admirers.
Agent names English clubs
A fresh update has now emerged from Brazil. According to journalist Pablo Oliveira, quoting Léo Pereira’s agent Ricardo Scheidt, the defender has received multiple proposals to leave Flamengo.
Scheidt reportedly named Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Besiktas, Cruz Azul and Monterrey among the clubs showing interest in the player.
This latest claim raises the temperature slightly by suggesting more concrete approaches have reached the player’s camp. Whether those proposals progressed is another matter.
Flamengo remain relaxed
Either way, Bolavip report Flamengo have no intention of negotiating Léo Pereira’s departure and are not concerned about the possibility of losing him.
The Brazilian club’s stance has remained consistent throughout the year. Club officials view the defender as a cornerstone of the squad and have repeatedly signalled their intention to keep the core of the team together.
That position is understandable. Léo Pereira remains under contract until the end of 2027 and Flamengo are not under financial pressure to sell. The club are instead focused on strengthening the squad for the second half of the season while retaining their most important players.
His recent World Cup call-up has only reinforced his standing internally. The defender is also discussing improved contract terms after establishing himself as one of the most influential players in the squad.
What happens next
For West Ham and Forest, the situation remains difficult. Both clubs may appreciate the profile. Léo Pereira combines experience, physical presence and strong distribution from the back. However, admiration is one thing and convincing Flamengo to sell is another.
The Brazilian side continue to hold all the cards. Unless their position softens, or an offer arrives that significantly changes the conversation, the expectation in Brazil is that Léo Pereira will remain exactly where he is – at the heart of Flamengo’s defence and increasingly important both domestically and internationally.
