The real reason Fabricio Bruno snubbed West Ham United has been revealed as an Englishman is targeted instead.

West Ham have had a few firsts over the years now a new one can be added to the mix.

They’ve even proved transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano wrong.

The Italian is known for giving transfers his trademark ‘here we go’ when they are set in stone.

So West Ham fans thought they had their first signing of what’s set to be a busy summer in the bag when Romano did just that about their move for Fabricio Bruno.

But the deal hit turbulence amid claims the 28-year-old wanted better terms.

Brazilian journalist Vene Casagrande, who broke the news of the move, even claimed West Ham’s £12.5m deal with Flamengo for Bruno could collapse.

Well it’s gone from ‘here we go’ to ‘oh no’ for the Hammers because the Bruno deal is now officially dead.

Some thought it may have just been a negotiation bargaining trick from the 6ft 4in star or a bit of brinkmanship.

But it has been confirmed overnight that Bruno will not be joining the Hammers.

Real reason Bruno snubbed West Ham

Now the real reason Bruno snubbed West Ham has been revealed as an Englishman is targeted instead.

And the truth makes Bruno’s rejection of a move to the London Stadium make perfect sense.

Brazilian journalists Rubro-Negro and Bruno Doubs have revealed via OGlobo that family circumstances ultimately dictated Bruno snubbing West Ham.

“One of the reasons that weighed most heavily on Fabrício Bruno refusing the proposal from West Ham, from England, was the family issue,” Doubs reports.

“His wife, Ana Clara, is pregnant with the couple’s second child. Given this, both of them, who would have to move to London immediately, decided that the offer was not that interesting financially and would not be worth the sudden move in the middle of the pregnancy.

“According to the newspaper “O Globo”, the stay of number 15 was celebrated by some members of Flamengo football, especially coach Tite. Fabrício Bruno, rested in the victory over Millonarios, will be an option for the classic against Vasco this Sunday, at 4pm, at Maracanã, in a game valid for the seventh round of the Brazilian Championship.”

Hammers target Englishman instead

Now a source inside West Ham has told Hammers News that technical director Tim Steidten is not panicking because he very much has other irons in the fire.

We were told the Hammers will now be pressing ahead with other defensive targets – one of which is a good value Championship player.

So it seems West Ham are turning to Hull City’s Jacob Greaves instead.

Greaves has been linked with West Ham for the last two months.

And a couple of days ago The Guardian claimed the club were still keen on Greaves and Max Kilman despite the move for Bruno.

“West Ham have made strengthening in central defence a priority,” the report states.

“Kurt Zouma has had injury problems, Nayef Aguerd wants to leave, Angelo Ogbonna has not been offered a new contract and Konstantinos Mavropanos has been unconvincing since joining from Stuttgart in August.

“The Wolves captain, Maximilian Kilman, is another target in that position and West Ham have also been monitoring the Hull centre-back Jacob Greaves.”

It’s great to see West Ham pivot so quickly and not waste time trying to convince one specific player to join.

David Moyes did that all last summer with Harry Maguire when the Hammers could have been looking elsewhere.

Greaves is young at 23, ticks the homegrown status box and has proved himself to be one of the best defenders in the Championship.

And the last time West Ham signed Hull’s best player it didn’t work out too badly did it?