Following the reports saying West Ham United are working on the signing of Pablo Maia from São Paulo, we now get to see Southampton joining that race as well.
The information is brought by Brazilian journalist André Hernan, who sounds confident that the midfielder will leave the Tricolor in January.
It’s said West Ham first tried to sign Maia on a loan with an option to buy. São Paulo, however, claimed the player is not leaving on those terms.
The Hammers are then said to be ‘internally discussing’ the possibility of making an offer to purchase the player in the January transfer window, especially because of the competition.
Southampton, meanwhile, made an informal approach through an agent, and seem to have taken no further steps for now.
São Paulo are said to be aware they may lose the player in January, as an offer may arrive and they see the sale with ‘good eyes’.
It’s recalled that Fulham also tried to sign the midfielder last summer, but it’s not mentioned if they would make a new move for Maia now, as it seems to be a battle between Southampton and West Ham for now.
