Scott Mason

Tue 21 April 2026 10:40, UK

Franculino Dju is back on West Ham United’s radar, and this season he has proved to be highly effective.

The Guinea-Bissau forward has been nothing short of a clinical finisher this campaign, netting 17 goals in just 19 appearances in the Danish league.

Dju has been attracting plenty of interest ahead of the summer, with multiple European giants alongside West Ham in the mix.

It could be tough for the Hammers to agree a deal if relegated, making staying in the Premier League all the more important.

Now, there is even more reason for a West Ham transfer, as the Guinean has been twice as good as Kylian Mbappe in one area this season.

Where has Franculino Dju been better than Kylian Mbappe?

Mbappe is one of the greatest forwards around right now, which is why being twice as efficient in front of goal is highly impressive amid West Ham’s interest in Dju.

Although, his current form may be an unsustainable feat as the campaign continues on,

The 14-cap Guinean-Bissau striker’s form this season looks to be largely a purple patch. With a 40 per cent goal conversion rate, the forward is reaching levels of unsustainability that even the world’s best strikers don’t hit.

In comparison, in the Premier League, Erling Haaland has a 21 per cent conversion; in La Liga, Kylian Mbappe has a 19 per cent conversion; meanwhile, in the Bundesliga, Harry Kane comes closest with a 29 per cent conversion as per Sofascore.

While Dju’s total is no doubt impressive, looking at the best number nines across football, it is clear that a 40 per cent conversion rate is an outlier, and it will eventually tail off and balance itself out.

Over his previous two seasons with Midtjylland, Dju averaged a 19 per cent rate.

Is Franculino worth chasing for West Ham?

Although the above may point to a striker going through form that will likely not be repeated, over the two seasons before, he has shown himself to be a quality finisher.

Combined, Dju has scored 28 goals from 20.47xG. Additionally, his shot placement showcases him to be an excellent centre-forward as well.

From that 20.47xG, he has increased his chances to score based on where he places the ball. His xGOT over that period stands at 21.81.

Overall, he would be an exciting coup, but questions will remain over whether he can repeat this season’s trick and whether he can do so at the top level of England.

However, based on the above, he is likely to be worth the chase.