West Ham have opened talks with Nottingham Forest over Morato, a 6'4 Brazilian defender who can play at centre back or left back. The move has come after a loan to Roma stalled, and the discussion now sits alongside pressure on West Ham to get business done before the window closes on Tuesday night.
Morato and Nottingham Forest
ExWHUEmployee said West Ham have stepped in for the Roma target, adding that Morato joined Nottingham Forest in June 2024 while Nuno was manager and played 29 times for him in his first season at the club. Those details give the deal a practical shape: West Ham are not looking at a speculative option, but at a player with immediate defensive flexibility.
The same report said, “West Ham have been in talks with Nottingham Forest over the signing of Brazilian defender Morato.” It also said, “The player is 6’4 and can play at centre back or left back. He joined Nottingham Forest in June 2024 whilst Nuno was the manager and played 29 times for him during his first season at the club.”
Roma deal stalls
“It was thought that he would join Roma on loan but this deal has stalled,” ExWHUEmployee said. The shift matters because it leaves West Ham in the live conversation after Roma had been expected to finish the job, and the shape of the move is still being argued through rather than simply agreed.
The report added: “Meaning he has been in talks with West Ham. Both a straight loan deal and a loan with obligation have been discussed and this is what is holding up the deal. We will bring you more as we have it.” A straight loan would send Morato temporarily to West Ham, while a loan with obligation would tie the clubs to a future transfer commitment if the agreed conditions are met.
West Ham squad pressure
West Ham were also expected to announce Edvin Austbo as their latest signing on a permanent move that morning. ExWHUEmployee said, “The club are also expected to name Edvin Austbo as their latest signing with the player expected to be announced on a permanent move this morning.”
That gives West Ham two parallel movements: one completed arrival and one still being negotiated. ExWHUEmployee also said, “The Norwegian has been tracked for a long time and is an exciting explosive player. It is thought he could take the number 35 shirt.”
For Morato, the open question is not whether West Ham want a defender; it is whether West Ham and Nottingham Forest settle on a straight loan or a loan with obligation before Tuesday night closes the window.
The move would bring a 6'4 defender into West Ham's options immediately, with centre back and left back both available to them if the clubs find the structure that allows the deal to go through.
