West Ham Make Last-Minute Approach For La Liga Defender As Transfer Deadline Looms

West Ham have made a £35 million offer for Real Betis centre-back Natan ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

It’s no secret that West Ham’s plight that season has been largely due to their shocking defence.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have conceded a whopping 48 goals in just 24 games – the most of any Premier League side.

The Irons’ leaky defence has seen them considering numerous defenders and goalkeepers.

Last week, West Ham were linked to Stefan Ortega of Manchester City.

And it now looks like the club are ready to revisit their interest in Natan.

The 24-year-old Brazilian has been a key target this January, and may now make an eleventh-hour switch to the London club.

West Ham have already brought in attacking reinforcements in Adama Traore, Pablo, and Taty Castellanos.

But shoring up their defence remains key if they are to climb out of the relegation zone.

Dropping down to the Championship would be a disaster, with rivals already sniffing around West Ham’s best players.

Mateus Fernandes has been linked to Manchester City, and such conversations will only continue unless things improve.

West Ham Make Late Bid For Real Betis Defender Natan

With West Ham sat 18th in the table and five points from safety, they must improve their squad to survive.

Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is another defensive target they are actively pursuing before the deadline.

But they reportedly submitted an initial loan-to-buy offer for Natan over the weekend.

Former Brazil under-20 star Natan has played 20 times for Real Betis this season.

He joined the club permanently from Napoli over the summer for a fee of around £7.5 million, having spent last season on loan at Betis.

Nota della società: Natan a titolo definitivo al Betis

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#ProudToBeNapoli pic.twitter.com/3MYglWLr7n

— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) June 9, 2025

But despite tabling three offers of around £35 million – each structured differently – West Ham’s approaches have so far been rejected.

Betis feel that Natan’s value will grow further, and they are under no pressure to sell as things stand.

It would therefore take an improved offer from West Ham in order to secure the defender.

As a result, the Irons may opt to set their sights entirely on signing Disasi.

The Frenchman is set for a medical in East London ahead of a loan move to West Ham.

West Ham Need To Solve Defensive Crisis

It’s been clear all season that West Ham’s defence is their Achilles heel.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have scored 29 goals, more than six other Premier League sides.

But they have been woeful at the back at times. And this defensive weakness cost them once more at the weekend.

It’s defeat in West London. pic.twitter.com/rPzMqQzF0k

— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 31, 2026

Having led 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, they threw away an unlikely and vital victory against Chelsea, losing 3-2 thanks to Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner for the Blues.

The current defensive options simply are not good enough, with Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavrapanos showing once again why West Ham are where they are in the table.

If there is to be any hope of a great escape at the London Stadium, West Ham must bring in one or both of Disasi and Natan.

If not, the situation already looks very bleak indeed for the Hammers.