In truth, West Ham United really didn’t need need a reminder of just how desperately a midfield reinforcement or two is required at the London Stadium.
Those in charge know it.
Why else did West Ham make a £30 million bid for Mateus Fernandes of Southampton last week? The Sporting Lisbon graduate exactly the kind of dynamic, ball-carrying athlete Graham Potter is crying out for.
Upton Park icon Tony Cottee said it a fortnight before Saturday’s 3-0 battering by Sunderland. West Ham are crying out for midfield signings.
Unsurprisingly, after the Black Cats’ V8 trio of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra outpaced Graham Potter’s spluttering engine, Cottee was quick to identify the ‘biggest problem’ facing West Ham United ahead of what could be a pretty painful campaign. A problem epitomised by a central pairing of Guido Rodriguez and James Ward-Prowse.
Less speed than 100 metre race occupied only by garden snails. More sideways movements than a family of crabs on a hiking holiday.
Mateus Fernandes might not be the man to solve it, either; Southampton want £50 million, while Saints CEO Phil Parsons insists an agreement is miles away as things stand.
But Ngal’ayel Mukau of LOSC Lille could be the medicine needed to clear up one of West Ham’s many symptoms.
Ngal'ayel Mukau celebrates during Bologna FC 1909 v LOSC Lille - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5
Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
Lille fans are not happy as West Ham United turn to Ngal’ayel Mukau
According to Sacha Tavolieri, writing for Sky Sports, West Ham have ‘serious interest’ in Ngal’ayel Mukau.
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The latest imposing central midfielder to emerge from fertile French ground caught the eye as Lille and the Hammers played out a 1-1 friendly draw in London a week-and-a-half ago. Mukau was also one of the visiting players to beat Alphonse Areola in a penalty shoot-out which the hosts triumphed in.
Some have even suggested – such as Turkish reporter Zafer Ertas – that the departure of Edson Alvarez could be the domino-falling moment which sees an offer fall onto Lille’s Stade Pierre Mauroy desk.
Mexico captain Edson Alvarez is reportedly joining Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, while West Ham still hope to move on Guido Rodriguez and potentially Tomas Soucek too.
But if the Hammers faithful have been left underwhelmed by the lack of real game-changing additions over the summer months, then spare a thought for their cross-channel cousins.
“Lille’s transfer window is scary and worrying for supporters,” French publication Le Quotidien du Sport wrote after those Mukau reports emerged.
“Lille are not reassuring their supporters. While the friendly matches have left a mixed impression, it’s Les Dogues’ transfer window that is worrying fans the most.”
The team which finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season have lost their star goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier to PSG, midfield maestro Angel Gomes to Marseille and top scorer Jonathan David to Juventus. Bafode Diakite and Gabriel Gudmundsson have both crossed the water, joining AFC Bournemouth and Leeds United respectively.
Now, Lille have always been something of a ‘selling club’. But if Mukau goes as well, almost the entire spine of Bruno Genesio’s side will have been ripped away.
“The hope of seeing [exit-linked] Edon Zhegrova play for the season with Lille and the return to training of Tiago Santos are the good news that supporters are clinging to,” Quotidien du Sport add with a brutal conclusion.
“Smiles that are quickly tarnished by the threat of Ngal’ayel Mukau leaving.”
Mukau could be the Amadou Onana presence West Ham need
A 6ft 2ins, Belgium-born enforcer who has made his name at the Pierre Mauroy. Sounds familiar.
Three years after Amadou Onana slipped through West Ham’s fingers – the Londoners made three bids only to see Everton secure a £33 million deal – could his Lille heir end up donning the claret kit Onana snubbed in favour of Toffees blue?
Like the now-Aston Villa enforcer, Mukau is a towering, physical yet technically capable presence in the heart of the pitch. There is an eye for goal, too, amongst his considerable collection of attributes.
After the £17 million-rated Mukau became the youngest player to score a brace on his Champions League debut for a French club since Kylian Mbappe, he volleyed home a maiden Ligue 1 goal during Sunday’s 3-3 thriller against Brest.
“West Ham have to go out and get one or two midfield players,” the aforementioned Cottee tells talkSPORT.
“Rodriguez, I don’t see what he brings to the table. Ward-Prowse is a good footballer but there’s no athleticism or pace there. No one who can get up and down. Alvarez, not an athletic player. Soucek, not an athletic player.
“There is no one to come on and give you a bit of variation. Of course we miss Declan Rice! Dec would be perfect in there now but he’s gone. They’ve got to try and replace him.
“They need to get someone who can get about in midfield.”