Report: Insider says boyhood West Ham supporter is expected to sign for the Hammers on Monday

West Ham United is set to sign teenage defender Luis Brown, a boyhood Hammers supporter, after he leaves Arsenal. Brown, 18, has been training with West Ham and is expected to join the club on July 1, according to West Ham insider Sean Whetstone.

The young defender has strong family ties to West Ham, with his father, Kenny Brown, being the club’s academy manager, and his grandfather, Ken, having played over 350 games for the Hammers. Despite growing up in a West Ham-supporting household, Brown chose to join Arsenal at under-9 level, citing the club’s better coaches, facilities, and players.Brown has since progressed through the ranks at Arsenal’s Hale End academy, making 31 appearances for the U18s and scoring three goals. He also made his Premier League 2 debut as a substitute against Southampton and was named on the bench in the UEFA Youth League.

West Ham’s acquisition of Brown is seen as a coup for the club’s academy, with the young defender expected to join the Hammers’ youth ranks. Brown’s signing follows the arrival of teenage winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham from Sheffield United, as well as the imminent signing of David Chigwada from Manchester City.

The Hammers’ new manager, Julen Lopetegui, and technical director, Tim Steidten, are keen to strengthen the club’s youth academy and build a strong foundation for the future. Brown’s addition is seen as a significant step in this direction, with the young defender expected to progress into the first team ranks in years to come.Brown’s signing is also a testament to West Ham’s ability to attract top young talent, despite competition from bigger clubs.

The Hammers’ academy has a reputation for producing talented players, and Brown’s arrival is expected to further enhance the club’s reputation in this regard.In other transfer news, West Ham has been linked with a move for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, with the club reportedly willing to move for the “devastating” forward. The Hammers have also been linked with a move for Manchester City star Jack Grealish, with the club agreeing personal terms with the £17m winger.

Overall, West Ham’s transfer activity this summer suggests that the club is serious about building a strong squad for the future. With the addition of young talents like Brown and Guilherme, as well as the arrival of experienced players like Foderingham, the Hammers are shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League.