West Ham United must revive transfer push for Enzo Le Fee to kick off post-Declan Rice rebuild
West Ham United have FC Lorient midfielder Enzo Le Fee on their summer list of transfer targets, representing the ideal transfer to kick off their post-Declan Rice rebuild.
Rice is expected to leave the club this summer with Arsenal leading the race for his signature and the Gunners had a formal first bid rejected [Sky Sports, 15 June] but are expected to return with another huge offer in the coming days.
With Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City also in the frame for Rice’s signature, it is no secret that manager David Moyes will be looking to desperately strengthen his midfield weaponry ahead of the new campaign.
It is thought that Arsenal’s opening bid stood at around £80m plus add-ons, but West Ham have made it clear that Rice’s valuation remains at £120m giving them a healthy war chest in the market.
The Hammers have been linked with several potential replacements for the England international, with Conor Gallagher, Edson Alvarez and Joao Palhinha all reportedly on the Moyes’ list to kick off their post-Rice revolution at the London Stadium.
However, Rice’s departure will of course leave a gaping hole in the Hammers midfield and Moyes and his impending new technical director may be eyeing up more than one midfield addition, with a huge potential transfer war chest on the cards.
An interest in one exit-bound talented midfielder must be revived to ensure West Ham United are in very capable hands in Rice’s absence, and that man is indeed Le Fee.
The Hammers have been linked with the playmaker before with 90min reporting on 3 November that the East Londoners have sent scouts to watch Le Fee after fine early season form for Ligue 1 side Lorient.
The French maestro has been a regular feature of Regis Le Bris’ side at the Stade du Moustoir this season, going on to make 35 starts in Ligue 1, becoming the club’s third overall top-performing player [WhoScored] and registering five goals and six assists from midfield.
The 23-year-old is set to be out of contract in 2024 and previously admitted that his immediate future lies away from FC Lorient.
Speaking to Le Telegramme, as quoted by 90min, he said: “It’s time for me to leave. I have a special bond with the club and that’s why I wanted to extend my contract at the start of the season. I waited for a contract offer from Lorient until December. It never came. Now, I don’t expect anything from the club and I won’t extend my contract. I hope to leave this summer so that my transfer will bring money to Lorient.”
And according to the German outlet Der Westen [28 March], West Ham United, Leicester and Fulham have all been “alerted” to the fact that Le Fee is on the lookout for his next destination ahead of the 2023/24 term, and a move for the technically gifted 23-year-old is one the Irons should be exploring to ensure they’re challenging amongst the top eight once again.
An attacking central midfielder by trade, the gifted French ace is extremely strong going forward having posted eleven goal contributions in 29 appearances across all competitions this season, with this prolific form having seen him receive five man-of-the-match awards [WhoScored].
Also, he ranks in the 96th percentile for successful take-ons, possessing unique capabilities when progressing the ball from deep through his exceptional dribbling, close ball control, and technical ability when pressed as well as holding a keen eye for goal, ranking in the 94th percentile for shot-creating actions (FBRef), traits which could swiftly endear him to the Hammers faithful.
In 2022-23, only six players in Ligue 1 — French football’s top flight — could better his 67 key passes and he was the division’s top under-23 in that metric. Le Fee is an all-action and efficient midfielder both on the ball and off it too, ranking in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90 minutes and 94th percentile for dribbles challenged [FBRef] giving West Ham United the perfect midfield combination if they were to sign him along with a destructive defensive midfielder in a similar mould to Rice.
Le Fee is also a tremendously versatile operator, meaning he’d be able to fill a variety of positions for the club if he were to make the move to East London and his contract situation and desire to leave means he’d be a rather cheap addition but prove a truly decorated, attractive and bargain option in the long run.
This is a deal the Hammers must explore once again this summer.