West Ham send letter in bid to seal transfer as bizarre twist emerges
West Ham United have sent “a letter of interest” to OH Leuven for midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi, according to Sacha Tavolieri.
The Sky Sports journalist reported the bizarre transfer twist via X (22 January) hours after Banzuzi was believed to be travelling to the UK for a medical ahead of a move to the London Stadium [Rob Dorsett].
However, reports that a £13 million deal had been struck for the Dutchman are wide of the mark, but a deal remains on the cards after the Hammers opt for an unusual method for formalising their interest.
West Ham going around in circles to sign Ezechiel Banzuzi
Why can nothing be a simple task at West Ham?
Although there is every possibility that Banzuzi will still arrive in East London, the public circus being laid bare for all to see is not a good look for David Sullivan.
Hopefully, the impending arrival of recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay will ensure a more structured approach to incomings, with Potter demanding three new faces at the Irons [The Guardian].
The Hammers boss has made his intentions clear to the board: he needs a new defender, deep-lying midfielder and striker to really kickstart his tenure.
Banzuzi clearly is the priority target to bolster the midfield – the Dutch Under-21 international has established himself as a first team regular in the Belgian Pro League, featuring 63 times while contributing five goals and five assists.
However, the Irons haven’t learned their lesson from Tim Steidten’s underwhelming summer exploits and continue to drag on a signing which should have been wrapped up swiftly.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham will be able to get this deal over the line, but it seems director Daniel Kretinsky must get a move on with his Daily Mail bid to get this one signed and sealed.
In other West Ham news, Karren Brady may have an Irons deal done without telling anyone.
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