West Ham in Talks for Brighton Defender Igor After Crystal Palace Deal Falls

West Ham United is actively working to strengthen their squad before the summer transfer deadline, focusing particularly on bolstering their defense following Nayef Aguerd's loan move to Marseille. The Hammers are in late-stage talks with four targets, including a promising young German star, and are pursuing a season-long loan deal for Brighton's Brazilian defender Igor Julio after his move to Crystal Palace fell through due to playing time concerns. Igor Julio, who has struggled for consistent first-team appearances at Brighton due to injury and competition, rejected Crystal Palace’s offer because they could not guarantee regular minutes, reopening negotiations with West Ham. Additionally, West Ham have explored other defensive options such as Chelsea's Axel Disasi and Toulouse's Charlie Cresswell, aiming to address weaknesses exposed earlier in the season. Newcastle United, meanwhile, has been active in the transfer market but missed out on Jacob Ramsey, who chose West Ham. As the 7pm Premier League deadline approaches, West Ham is pushing to finalize deals to strengthen Graham Potter’s squad for the upcoming season.