---
title: "Virals: West Ham ‘leading the interest’ in Santos starlet Leonardo Zabala"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/02/28/virals-west-ham-leading-the-interest-in-santos-starlet-leonardo-zabala/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-02-28T19:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-02-28T19:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: West Ham ‘leading the interest’ in Santos starlet Leonardo Zabala

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2022/02/28/opinion-exceptional-west-ham-star-starred-in-much-needed-epl-victory/) are reportedly ‘leading the interest’ in highly-rated Santos FC youngster Leonardo Zabala.

The 18-year-old centre-back recently [made the switch](https://twitter.com/noticiasdosfc_/status/1441091277190098950) 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](https://t.co/0r7QUAHGLw)
>
> — Notícias do Santos FC 🗞️ (@noticiasdosfc\_) [September 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/noticiasdosfc_/status/1441091277190098950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

According to [PlanetSport](https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/talented-south-american-youngsters-who-coming-premier-league), a host of Premier League clubs are believed to be watching the [Bolivian international](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leonardo-zabala/nationalmannschaft/spieler/661852/verein_id/67023) with the Hammers and Tottenham the most attentive.

The report claims that the [one-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leonardo-zabala/nationalmannschaft/spieler/661852/verein_id/5233) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brazil_bolivia/index/spielbericht/3334205) against Brazil.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Whilst it’s almost impossible to gauge where the Bolivian is at in terms of adapting to life in England, signing [bright young talent](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leonardo-zabala/profil/spieler/661852) is a promising pathway for the club overall.

Having already [added Frederik Alves to the ranks](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/december/22-december/west-ham-united-sign-promising-danish-defender-frederik) 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](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/west-ham-united/kader/verein/379) in situ, it’s perhaps of little surprise that the Scot would look to rejuvenate the squad.