If you thought West Ham United duo Konstantinos Mavropanos and Axel Disasi were good in the air, just wait until you see Real Betis powerhouse Natan in action.
West Ham failed with a £32 million bid for Manuel Pellegrini’s highly-rated centre-half during the January transfer window.
According to reports from Andalusia though, via ABC de Sevilla, the Hammers remain interested ahead of the summer.
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A graphic showing West Ham United's ideal XI against Leeds in the FA Cup.
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The expectation is that Real Betis will sell for around £35 million in June or July, after turning down offers in January. If West Ham United were to win the race, the London Stadium would become home to the most aerially-dominant centre-half in La Liga.
Natan’s Real Betis numbers explained amid West Ham United interest
Per WhoScored, no one averages more clearances in Spain’s top flight than Natan with seven per game. That is more than Mavropanos averages at West Ham. Mavropanos is in ‘exceptional’ form under Nuno Espirito Santo at present, though he averages 0.8 fewer clearances per game than the man who could potentially be rivalling him for a starting spot next season.
Then again, given that Natan is left-footed, the likelihood is that Nuno sees him more as a Max Kilman replacement, or a potential successor to Axel Disasi should the Chelsea loanee depart.
Natan of Real Betis v Athletic Bilbao in La Liga
Photo by ANDER GILLENEA / AFP via Getty Images
Nuno has always preferred centre-halves of Mavropanos’ ilk. Or Natan’s, for that matter. See Nikola Milenkovic at Nottingham Forest and Willy Boly at Wolves.
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Reports indicate that Kilman has no future at the London Stadium, having not played a minute of Premier League football since that disastrous cameo at Chelsea in January.
Natan is not merely a defender capable of booting crosses into row Z, however. While a very aggressive centre-half who relies heavily on his power and speed, Natan also completes 89 per cent of his passes in La Liga.
Data MB also show that Natan’ defensive statistics are very similar to those of Mavropanos, and far greater than those of Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo; the Frenchman a silky, modern centre-half but one of statistically one of the worst in the Premier League when it comes to winning aerial duels.
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A graphic asking West Ham United fans when they last loved a loan player as much as Axel Disasi.
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Nuno Espirito Santo could sign a ‘complete defender’
As The Scouting App pointed out during Natan’s spell at Napoli between 2023 and 2025, the Sao Paulo-born 25-year-old ‘possesses a quite complete defender profile, mixing the modern ball-playing and old school, having potential to be dominant in all phases of the game’.
‘When defending in low blocks, he imposes himself, having great command of area, good positioning, and the ability to quickly close spaces, being a great nuisance for attackers.
‘His physical attributes are another important aspect of his game. His pace allows him to recover, his physicality helps him to be dominant in both ground and aerial duels. [And] despite not being the most skilled central defender, his technical attributes are quite good, standing out for his calmness under pressure and his high quality and mature decision making’.
Speaking back in January, Natan felt that the 2025/26 season was becoming ‘the best’ of his career.
That West Ham are one of only a handful of interested clubs – facing a battle with Serie A and Premier League sides – comes as no surprise.
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