John Victor, West Ham
Credit: Imago
Evan Lloyd
Fri 8 August 2025 11:00, UK
John Victor has spoken out following the collapse of his proposed transfer to West Ham.
The Hammers had agreed a fee with Botafogo with the goalkeeper due to undergo a medical, but the deal fell apart when Leicester City accepted a £20million bid for Mads Hermansen.
A suggestion could be made that West Ham used the Victor deal to put pressure on the Foxes, though such claims are unverified.
Hermansen will undergo a medical at The London Stadium on Friday (8 August), with Graham Potter set to finally get his wish of a new goalkeeper.
John Victor in action for Botafogo
Victor was set for a move to West Ham (Credit: Imago)
Victor ‘chose to continue’ at Botafogo
When news emerged of West Ham’s move for Victor, fans responded furiously.
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Hermansen and Zion Suzuki had been Potter’s first choices for a new number one this summer, and a switch in focus to the Brazilian was seen as David Sullivan opting for the cheaper option again.
In fairness, the Hammers owner has form this summer, choosing to supply Potter with free agent Callum Wilson, despite the striker’s extensive injury issues.
But Victor is certainly not a bad goalkeeper. The Brazilian has impressed massively in his 18 months at Botafogo and offered the ability on the ball that the West Ham boss is looking for.
Still, the 29-year-old presented the cheaper alternative to Hermansen and Suzuki, with talks appearing to stall with Leicester and Parma.
West Ham signings 2025/26 Fee
El Hadji Malick Diouf £19m
Mads Hermansen £20m
Kyle Walker-Peters Free
Callum Wilson Free
News of Victor’s move went down badly in Brazil, and the goalkeeper was openly booed by his own fans during the Rio de Janeiro-based club’s loss to Cruzeiro.
Following the past day’s events, however, the Brazilian has claimed that it was his decision that resulted in the move’s collapse, despite Victor previously outlining his desire to join West Ham.
He wrote in a post made to Instagram (8 August): “Yes I got an offer to leave the club and pursue other dreams in my career. I thought with my family and I needed a few days to talk to you all.
“I’m a human being and it’s normal to be thoughtful in these moments, but we choose to continue living the Botafogo. I never said I wanted to leave the club.
“It is a special club in my life, for which I am very grateful for all it has provided for me and my family. It’s a great pleasure to wear this shirt!
“Botafogo is my home, my choice and the right decision for new dreams and achievements that we can still fight together.”
West Ham and Potter emerge successful
If Victor’s words do hold truth, West Ham have likely benefited from an unintended negotiating tactic.
News of the goalkeeper’s proposed move may well have twisted Leicester’s arm in their demands for Hermansen, and the Hammers have ultimately emerged with the better option.
Hermansen was among Potter’s first choices, and for good reason. The 25-year-old is the ideal goalkeeper for the Englishman’s system and will undoubtedly make a big impression at The London Stadium.
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