West Ham confirmed on 13 June their first signing of the summer, Luis Guilherme, who joined from Brazilian club Palmeiras.
The Hammers could be set for a busy transfer window with Julen Lopetegui planning to make at least five to six new additions.
Bolstering the defence is a priority for West Ham, and they have been checking on several players.
Brazilian defender Vitao has been linked with a move, with the Hammers already submitting an opening bid.
However, reports from Italy suggest that Udinese defender Nehuen Perez could be on his way to joining West Ham.
According to a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport (printed edition, page 35), West Ham’s interest in the 23-year-old defender is concrete, and he is “heading towards London”.
Gianluca Di Marzio reported on 10 June that the Hammers have made an initial survey to sign Perez while talkSPORT journalist Ian Abrahams suggested on X (10 June) that his sources told him that the player is open to moving to the London Stadium.
The Argentine international would cost around £16.9 million, and if everything goes well, he could become West Ham’s second signing of the summer.
Lopetegui prioritizes signing a new defender. Angelo Ogbonna has been a great servant to the club, but his contract expires at the end of this month.
Similarly, doubts have surfaced regarding the long-term futures of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Agued. Ben Johnson will become a free agent at the end of this month, but the Hammers have presented him with a lucrative offer to persuade him to stay put. He is still considering all options.
Put simply, at least one or two new centre-backs are needed, and Perez could be one of them. Udinese are already looking for a replacement, which suggests that they anticipate a bid from the London club. It appears that West Ham is preparing the groundwork for the transfer of Perez, and the situation will become clear in the next few days.
