West Ham have developed a clear taste for Brazilian talent in recent seasons.
Players such as Igor Julio, Luís Guilherme, Lucas Paquetá and Felipe Anderson have all made the move to east London.
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The results have been mixed. Paquetá was a standout before his January departure, while others came and went with far less impact.
Now, it appears the Hammers are lining up another move into the Brazilian market — but they’ve been warned the price is rising fast.
West Ham Learn Araújo Price Tag
Evertton Araujo. (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Evertton Araujo. (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
West Ham’s long-standing interest in Flamengo midfielder Evertton Araújo may require a rethink.
Earlier reports suggested the Hammers valued the 22-year-old at around £10.2m (€12m) and had been monitoring his development closely. However, fresh updates from Brazil indicate that figure may already be obsolete.
Intermediaries are reportedly working on a Bundesliga proposal worth around €20m (£17m). While the German club involved has not been publicly named, the jump in valuation is significant. It is worth noting that Bayer Leverkusen scouted Araújo last year, underlining the growing European interest.
For West Ham, the situation is clear: if they want the Flamengo midfielder, they may now have to meet a £17m asking price — and that number could climb further if competition intensifies.
Araújo Compared to Casemiro
Araújo’s rise has not gone unnoticed in Brazil, with comparisons already being drawn to former Manchester United and Brazil midfield enforcer Casemiro.
Luiz Antonio, a Copa do Brasil winner with Flamengo in 2013, believes the stylistic similarities are clear.
“Evertton Araújo, making fair comparisons, resembles Casemiro’s style of play. Casemiro does pass forward more, he provides assists and scores. But those are traits Evertton can acquire by training. Evertton is quicker, stronger and younger than Casemiro,” Luiz Antonio told ESPN, per One Football.
Both operate primarily as defensive midfielders, offering protection in front of the back line, positional intelligence, and physical presence. The suggestion that Araújo may even surpass Casemiro athletically will only heighten intrigue around his development.
If West Ham are serious about refreshing their midfield with youth and steel, Araújo fits the profile. But with Bundesliga money circling and his valuation climbing rapidly, the Hammers may need to act decisively — or risk watching another Brazilian prospect slip through their fingers.