West Ham’s £5m bargain hopes dashed as midfielder signs new contract.
That didn’t last long. Just two days after reports linked him to struggling Premier League side West Ham United, the January target shut down Julen Lopetegui's hopes.
Despite signing Guido Rodriguez and Carlos Soler during the summer transfer window—and retaining Edson Alvarez despite brief links with Manchester United—the central midfield remains a significant issue for West Ham United.
Julen Lopetegui has experimented with Rodriguez in the number six role.
While the former Barcelona target is unlikely to leave West Ham in January, his suitability for the Premier League is in doubt due to questions about his mobility.
Meanwhile, Alvarez has already been sent off twice this season, adding to the midfield woes.
Although Lopetegui achieved a notable 2-0 victory over Newcastle by pairing Soler with Lucas Paquetá, this combination leaves West Ham vulnerable, particularly during transitions.
Arsenal exploited this weakness ruthlessly, scoring five goals in just 40 minutes during a recent clash.
Given these challenges, it’s easy to see why West Ham have reportedly turned their attention to Flamengo’s Evertton Araujo ahead of the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old Brazilian enforcer has been linked with several top European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Lille, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Monaco, Porto, and Bayer Leverkusen.
Initially, Araujo’s £5 million release clause seemed like a bargain solution to West Ham’s midfield struggles. However, the situation changed dramatically this week.
Evertton Araujo Signs New Flamengo Contract
Just 48 hours after West Ham’s interest emerged, Araujo signed a new contract with Flamengo, extending his stay until 2028.
The updated deal not only increases his salary but also replaces the £5 million release clause with a significantly higher one, as reported by O Dia.
This development complicates West Ham’s hopes of securing a cost-effective fix for their midfield issues.
A Rising Star Praised for Discipline and Potential
Araujo, who joined Flamengo from Volta Redonda in 2023, has grown into a key player. After starting the season on the bench, he became a standout performer in the latter half of the 2024 campaign.
Flamengo head coach Filipe Luís, a former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid star, praised Araujo’s discipline and eagerness to improve.
“He has the greatest talent a human being can have, which is the ability to learn,” said Luís. “He is extremely disciplined, focused, and constantly evolving.”
A Move Still Possible?
While Araujo’s new release clause makes a move more challenging, it doesn’t rule out a transfer entirely.
Should West Ham or another European club meet the new valuation, Flamengo would be unable to block the deal.
However, the size of the new clause remains undisclosed.
Alternative Midfield Solutions Closer to Home
West Ham may also explore domestic options to address their midfield issues.
TBR reports that the Hammers remain interested in Burnley captain Josh Brownhill.
A long-term target, Brownhill chose Burnley over West Ham in 2020, but his contract at Turf Moor expires at the end of the season, potentially making him a viable option for a midseason move.
With the midfield continuing to be a weak point, West Ham must act decisively in January to bolster their squad and strengthen their push for better results in the Premier League.
