Why West Ham United will have eased concerns before Bastien Meupiyou transfer push

Bastien Meupiyou is wanted by West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo as he continues to build his squad.

The French defender, who is at Portuguese side Alverca, is eyed as a target for the much-needed centre-back position.

There has yet to be a single new arrival at London Stadium, with Mateus Fernandes the only big-name exit confirmed as well.

However, following relegation, there is sure to be plenty of change in E20, and Meupiyou could be part of that.

Signing foreign players can often come with a challenge, and West Ham have seen that with Dimitri Payet in the past.

The playmaker left the Hammers after admitting his family had failed to settle into life in England.

The issue signings face that Bastien Meupiyou may have already overcome

Meupiyou shares the same agent as Nuno, making the links make plenty of sense.

However, there could be concerns over Meupiyou's adaptation to England, despite his one-season at Wolves.

Many players can struggle to fit in, being unable to learn the language, but that is an issue that will not arise for the Hammers.

When he joined Wolves in 2024, sporting director Matt Hobbs, who described the defender as having a "high ceiling" insisted he had strong English already.

Hobbs said: "His English is good, it’s really good, and so is his brother’s. So, with his English, he understands just about everything. I always find once they understand, they'll pick up the words quick.

"I think he knows more than he's letting on; it is a confidence thing, so I think he’ll settle fine.”

Meupiyou is not the only name linked with the Hammers, but that admission by Hobbs will certainly play a factor in the thinking at London Stadium.

Why West Ham’s dressing room could help the defender settle faster than expected

At the Irons, Meupiyou would also be surrounded by plenty who could help him settle in should he require it.

Alphonse Areola, Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Soungoutou Magassa and Mahamdou Kante are all French speakers as well.

Although Todibo and Diouf have previously been linked with moves away, there would still be many left who can become close to Meupiyou.

So, if a move is pushed ahead, Meupiyou could have an immediate impact.

Now, it is a waiting game for Hammers fans as they await to see who is first through the door in this summer transfer window.