West Ham’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper has been an open secret this summer.
With Lukasz Fabianski leaving and Alphonse Areola failing to impress last season, the Hammers have been busy exploring a number of options to strengthen their goalkeeping department.
Names like Zion Suzuki from Parma, Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper, and Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen have all been on West Ham’s radar, but the most significant interest has been in Botafogo’s John Victor.
After months of speculation, it seems West Ham may now be on the verge of landing their man.
West Ham Agree Victor Deal
John Victor. (REUTERS/Thiago Bernardes)
John Victor. (REUTERS/Thiago Bernardes)
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, West Ham have now reached a “verbal agreement” to sign John Victor from Botafogo for £8.7 million — a slight increase from their original £7 million bid.
Romano reports that the terms have been agreed, with only the final paperwork left to be sorted before the deal is officially sealed.
This news signals a major step forward in what has been a prolonged search for a new number one.
What Are West Ham Getting?
Romano has described Victor as “highly rated,” and it’s easy to see why.
The 29-year-old Brazilian has impressed on both the domestic and international stages. At the 2025 Club World Cup, Victor made a significant impact, helping Botafogo claim a memorable win over Paris Saint-Germain.
His performances for the Brazilian giants have also been outstanding, with 83 appearances and 36 clean sheets across the past two seasons. His solid form helped Botafogo secure an impressive domestic treble in 2024, winning the Série A title, Copa Libertadores, and Taça Rio.
Botafogo have been raided this summer. (REUTERS/Matias Baglietto)
John Victor. (REUTERS/Matias Baglietto)
Despite a recent error in Botafogo’s loss to Cruzeiro, where he mishandled the ball leading to a goal, many still regard him highly. One Botafogo fan even praised him as the “best keeper in South America” on X, highlighting his overall quality.
Now, as Victor prepares to make the jump to the Premier League, the real test awaits. West Ham fans will be hoping he can reproduce his standout form on the biggest stage of them all.