Pressure is mounting on Nuno Espirito Santo from West Ham United, with the club reportedly targeting a £26m fee to sign young Brazilian defender Alexandro Victor de Souza Ribeiro in the January transfer window.
The east London side see Alexandro as a key piece of their defensive rebuild in response to a difficult start to the 2025-26 Premier League season.
The move signals intent at a time when West Ham are struggling and the board are keen to show support for their new manager, with growing concerns over results and performance.
The 26-year-old Alexandro has been making waves with Lille OSC in Ligue 1, and his performances have seen him recently called up to the Brazilian national team and attracting attention from clubs across Europe.
Check out West Ham’s Alexandro price tag
According to ESPN Brazil, the Brazilian is under contract until the summer of 2026 and is valued at around £26 million.
Alexandro is said to be keen on a move to a top English club, with his agent suggesting the timing is right not only for the player’s development but also for his national team prospects.
The Hammers are 19th in the Premier League after a string of poor results and a weak defense, and the board appears to view January as a crucial period to stabilize the season.
As coach Espirito Santo aims for his first Premier League victory, strengthening the team is becoming increasingly important.
Alexandro is a versatile defender
Internally, West Ham’s recruitment department believe the deal is suitable for its combination of immediate impact and future value.
Alexandro’s ability to play both centre-back and left-centre in a back three gives him tactical flexibility, and his comfort in possession reflects the demands of modern defence.
The defender has been hesitant about a move to the Premier League as he feels he will need a lot of time to get used to a new league and environment, but the Hammers are confident in bringing him to the club to solve their defensive problems.
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