West Ham United have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign Brazilian goalkeeper, John Victor from Botafogo after Lukasz Fabianski departed the London Stadium at the end of his contract earlier in the summer.
Softfootball understands that after a standout performance at the Club World Cup and an impressive stretch during the Brazilian domestic season, the 29-year-old is considered to be one of the most in-form goalkeepers in South America became a serious candidate for top European clubs this summer.
The Hammers have been busy this summer to bolster Graham Potters squad ahead of the new season, with defenders El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters joining, while a deal was completed to bring in Callum Wilson in attack over the weekend too.
John was being linked with a move to Manchester United in recent months, but interest cooled with Andre Onana eyeing a return in time for the start of the season.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via his X handle , West Ham United have reached a verbal agreement to sign John as their new shot-stopper. A 10m deal is nearing completion, with final details being ironed out, and the transfer is on the verge of being finalized. The tweet reads:
The news has gone down like something of a lead balloon among West Ham fans, largely due to the club pulling out of the race for Mads Hermansen and Zion Suzuki, two players widely regarded as long term first choice options.
The disappointment seems to stem more from what West Ham didn't do, spending big on a proven No.1 than from the arrival of John himself. The 29-year-old Brazilian is reportedly being signed to compete with, rather than replace, Alphonse Areola who has struggled to adapt under Graham Potter's passing tactics.
Either way, it looks like the Hammers are set to welcome their fourth signing of the summer, and let's hope Victor proves to be an upgrade and can settle in quickly at the London Stadium.