West Ham’s interest in Flamengo midfielder Evertton Araújo may have arrived before the Brazilian’s market value exploded.
The 23-year-old has become one of Flamengo’s most sought-after assets in recent months. Also, Arsenal and Newcastle are also credited with interest. Reports in Brazil suggest a Bundesliga club could beprepared to pay around €20m (£17m).
Flamengo, meanwhile, are considering a contract renewal as they look to strengthen their position ahead of an increasingly busy transfer window.
Yet only a few months ago, Evertton was facing a very different reality.
Speaking this week at Flamengo’s training centre, the midfielder revealed there was a point when he felt a departure was necessary. Opportunities in the first team were so limited that he considered leaving. It was during that period that West Ham emerged as a concrete option.
West Ham chance arrived when pathway was blocked
Before establishing himself in Flamengo’s midfield, Evertton faced fierce competition for minutes.
Erick Pulgar, Jorginho, Nicolás de la Cruz, Saúl and Allan were all ahead of him in the pecking order. As a result, there was little room for a young player still trying to break through.
As we covered at the time, West Ham made a concrete approach during that period, when the midfielder’s future at the club was far from certain.
Reflecting on that stage of his career, Evertton admitted he seriously considered moving on.
“I needed to go because I didn’t have space here in the first team, but I didn’t want to leave,” he explained.
While a move abroad may have represented the clearest route to regular football, the midfielder’s preference was always to establish himself at Flamengo.
Patience rewarded as Flamengo rise changes picture
The breakthrough eventually arrived through a combination of persistence and opportunity.
Injuries and absences in Flamengo’s midfield opened the door, and Evertton seized his chance. Having already spent months working alongside the senior squad, he gradually earned more minutes. Additionally, he increased his responsibility.
He eventually finished the season as a regular starter, completing a remarkable turnaround from the player who had once struggled to see a pathway into the team.
His performances also attracted praise from within the club. Flamengo manager Leonardo Jardim previously described him as a player with qualities suited to European football. He highlighted his physical profile, defensive work and ability to play forward under pressure.
So the midfielder who once believed he needed to leave Flamengo for West Ham because there was no space for him is now one of the club’s most valuable assets. And there is a growing list of European suitors and a price tag that continues to rise.