West Ham are reportedly ‘leading the interest’ in highly-rated Santos FC youngster Leonardo Zabala.
The 18-year-old centre-back recently made the switch from Palmeiras to the Vila Belmiro club and has already attracted plenty of admirers.
O Santos contratou o zagueiro boliviano Leonardo Zabala, de 18 anos, para o Sub-20. Ele estava no Palmeiras e pediu a rescisão para fechar com o Peixe.
🗞️ Diário do Peixe pic.twitter.com/0r7QUAHGLw— Notícias do Santos FC 🗞️ (@noticiasdosfc_) September 23, 2021
According to PlanetSport, a host of Premier League clubs are believed to be watching the Bolivian international with the Hammers and Tottenham the most attentive.
The report claims that the one-cap ace is viewed as a ‘big prospect’ and the Irons’ are keen on adding Zabala to their Under 23 ranks.
Despite not yet making a senior debut for Santos, the young defender played six minutes in a 5-0 defeat against Brazil.
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Whilst it’s almost impossible to gauge where the Bolivian is at in terms of adapting to life in England, signing bright young talent is a promising pathway for the club overall.
Having already added Frederik Alves to the ranks in recent months, David Moyes would certainly appear to have at least one eye on the next generation.
With an ageing backline in the shape of Craig Dawson and Angelo Ogbonna in situ, it’s perhaps of little surprise that the Scot would look to rejuvenate the squad.
