West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing 19-year-old Dutch midfield sensation Ezechiel Banzuzi from OH Leuven.
According to a report from Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, West Ham United have now failed with an offer to sign Ezechiel Banzuzi, and they will have to meet his asking price to get the deal done.
The player has been likened to beleaguered French midfielder Paul Pogba because of stylistic similarities, and he is highly rated across Europe. The newly appointed West Ham United manager Graham Potter admires the midfielder, and the Hammers will have to pay £12 million to get the deal done.
The East London club need more quality and depth in the midfield department, and Banzuzi would be a quality long-term addition. He has the potential to develop into a quality player with the right guidance, and the Hammers could nurture him into a key player.
The reported £12 million asking price seems reasonable for a player of his potential, and he could justify the investment in the coming season. It will be interesting to see if West Ham decide to improve their offer for the youngster in the next few days.
West Ham have endured a disappointing season so far, and they need to improve their squad if they want to finish high up the table. The Hammers have changed managers after a disappointing start to the season, and Potter will hope for a memorable second half of the 2024/25 season.
Banzuzi could fancy West Ham switch
Banzuzi will be attracted to the idea of playing in the Premier League. West Ham have an ambitious project, and they could be an attractive destination for him. The young midfielder will feel that he could join a big club in the future if he manages to impress at West Ham.
Furthermore, the opportunity to showcase his qualities in the Premier League can be hard to turn down. Regular football in England could accelerate his development and help him fulfil his tremendous potential.
The Dutch midfield sensation will certainly be keen on the idea of playing for West Ham during the second half of the season, and it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can work out a deal that benefits them both. However, the Hammers also have other midfielders on their radar, including Angel Gomes.