West Ham United have secured the signing of talented French midfielder Mohamadou Kanté from Ligue 2’s Paris FC. The news, initially reported by Hammers insider ExWHUEmployee earlier this week, as part of the club’s strategy to scout and develop young talent.
Kanté, a Paris native, was a regular in Paris FC’s U19 squad last season and also made appearances for the club’s B team.
This development coincides with Brazilian club Corinthians submitting a transfer bid for Luizao, a central defender. West Ham have accepted the offer, which is believed to be a season-long loan deal with an option to buy the 22-year-old. Luizao, initially a speculative acquisition for the Hammers, never made an impact on the first team. . . something the club hope Kante will achieve.
After being heavily linked with N’Golo Kante, West Ham are set to sign his compatriot and namesake Mohamadou Kante but there’s a twist.
This time last month West Ham were in talks to sign French midfield star N’Golo Kante from Al-Ittihad.
In the end a deal was not done and West Ham signed Argentinian defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez on a free instead.
The 30-year-old looked a smart, high quality and cost effective signing for West Ham.
Especially as he was meant to sign for Barcelona before Xavi’s departure put paid to the move.
But some did raise concerns about West Ham signing a 30-year-old a day after bringing in a striker who turns 32 this season in the shape of Niclas Fullkrug.
When Jamie Redknapp stated he felt Rodriguez struggled on his Premier League debut in defeat to Villa, the concerns looked legitimate.
David Moyes left West Ham with the smallest and second oldest squad in the Premier League.
Technical director Tim Steidten stated he and new boss Julen Lopetegui want to lower the age of West Ham’s squad.
After making Luis Guilherme his first signing of the summer, Steidten stated that he had promised the Brazilian teen he would be followed through the door by other exciting young players.
That’s why links to veterans such as Kante and the signings of Rodriguez and Fullkrug have jarred with some Hammers fans.
Those West Ham supporters were expecting a version of the Red Bull model rather than signing players who – like Jamie Vardy – might need Red Bull to keep their energy levels up.
Well now West Ham are set to sign French midfield star Mohamadou Kante but there’s a twist as Steidten shows the way.
Kante is a highly-regarded prospect in France and is very much the kind of Red Bull signing some supporters were expecting from the new regime.
But there’s a twist to this particular deal which is interesting on several levels.
Kante will immediately return to Paris FC on loan and is considered to be one for the future by Steidten and co.
For those among the Hammers fanbase who still haven’t figured out how Steidten operates, this is the perfect example.
The German has brought in Rodriguez on a free and West Ham are also in talks to sign 27-year-old Carlos Soler from PSG too.
They are for the here and now but by signing Kante, the club is also placing its bets on their potential future replacement.
That is what West Ham have done with Guilherme as it becomes increasingly clear Mohammed Kudus will likely leave next summer if his release clause is met.
The fact Kante will return to Paris on loan also means a deal for Soler is still in the pipeline.
With Steidten in charge of recruitment it will often be a case of a player for now and one for the future.
There has been no mention of the fee West Ham are paying.
West Ham United are closing in on the capture of Mohamadou Kante this summer.
The Paris FC midfielder is set to join the Premier League club on a five-year contract. According to a report from the Athletic, the player is already having a medical at West Ham right now and he will sign a long-term deal with them.
However, the 18-year-old midfielder is unlikely to play in the Premier League this season and he will return to Paris FC on loan so that he can continue his development with regular first-team action.
The midfielder was reportedly in talks with Paris FC regarding a contract extension, but the two parties failed to secure an agreement. It seems that the Hammers have swooped in and taken advantage of the situation situation. The 18-year-old is highly rated in France and he has a bright future ahead of himself. He could be a quality long-term prospect for West Ham.
They will need to focus on his development for now and loaning him back to Paris FC should prove to be a wise decision. They will not be able to provide him with a first-team action right now, and therefore letting the player continue his development with first-team experience elsewhere is the right way forward.
It will be interesting to see if the 18-year-old can continue to develop and fulfil his potential in the coming seasons. West Ham could certainly use more quality and depth in the middle of the park, and Kante could be a long-term asset for them.
The midfielder will certainly be excited to showcase qualities in the Premier League in the near future. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. West Ham have an ambitious project and a talented squad. The fans will certainly be excited to see the young prospect in action over the next few years.
