Brighton defender Igor Julio looks to the right, where there is a circle with West Ham manager Graham Potter smiling in it.
Credit: Imago
Danny Wright
Mon 1 September 2025 9:43, UK
West Ham have been chasing a late deal to sign Brighton defender Igor Julio before the summer transfer window shuts.
Graham Potter may have overseen his first win of the season on Sunday as West Ham beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in a shock result at the City Ground.
However, Potter isn’t finished with his transfer business yet and wants to add to his defence before the 7pm transfer deadline on Monday.
Igor hasn’t played for Brighton in the Premier League this season and now looks to be on his way out of the AMEX on a temporary basis.
Graham Potter smiling and clapping at West Ham.
Credit: Imago
Crystal Palace beat West Ham to shock deal with Brighton
However, unfortunately for West Ham, their bid to sign Igor has concluded in less-than-ideal circumstances with Crystal Palace beating them to a deal.
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It comes as a huge shock, considering Palace and Brighton are rival clubs.
Igor has made 37 Premier League appearances in his time at Brighton
He joined the Seagulls in January 2023 from Fiorentina
Brighton paid over £14million for the former Red Bull Salzburg man
Former Daily Express journalist Charlie Parker-Turner reported via his personal X account on Monday that Palace have an agreement in place to sign the 27-year-old Brazilian defender on a season-long loan.
It is understood that personal terms will not be an issue.
Parker-Turner adds that West Ham were in the race to sign Igor. However, Palace are now favourites to strike a deal before the window slams shut later on Monday.
🚨EXC: Surprise loan deal. Crystal Palace have reached an agreement with Brighton to sign Igor Julio on a season-long loan. Personal terms not expected to be an issue.
West Ham also in the race but Palace in pole position to secure his signature as it stands. #BHAFC #CPFC pic.twitter.com/DZm0ceUOWo
— Charlie Parker-Turner (@CParkerTurner) September 1, 2025
View Tweet
What defenders will West Ham sign instead?
Luckily for West Ham fans, the club is being linked with higher calibre defenders than Igor in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
Igor has been on the books at Brighton for two-and-a-half years but has only made 50 appearances in all compeittion for the South Coast club.
If the Irons really want to improve, they won’t be signing back-up players from a team they want to be finishing above this season.
Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell is an option for West Ham.
The former England Under-21s and Leeds centre-back is a very exciting defensive prospect who should add a huge deal of physicality to a West Ham defence that has struggled badly in the last year or so.
Getting a deal done for him will be great news for the Hammers faithful.
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