West Ham agree Ezechiel Banzuzi deal but hold-up for unknown reasons sets tongues wagging

Ezechiel Banzuzi is the player we all want at West Ham United.

The 19-year-old midfielder is an absolute powerhouse, and has everything needed to succeed in the Premier League with West Ham.

West Ham have been crying out for a midfielder like Ezechiel Banzuzi for quite some time now.

In fact, we have been bereft of any kind of pace or power in the middle of the park since Declan Rice left us to join Arsenal in the summer of 2023.

Graham Potter has been tasked with changing all of that, and West Ham’s January business is expected to burst into life now, after the arrival of recruitment guru Kyle Macaulay.

The Hammers really do need to get cracking now with some new signings.

Banzuzi is the man who seems to be closest to joining us right now, but the deal is far from done yet, evidently.

So what’s going on? Why aren’t we wrapping this one up as quickly as possible?

West Ham agree Ezechiel Banzuzi deal

I’m not sure anyone actually knows what’s going on with this deal, perhaps not even Banzuzi himself!

It was claimed on Wednesday that the Hammers had agreed a £13 million deal to bring the 19-year-old OH Leuven midfielder to the London Stadium.

Then it was suggested that Banzuzi would head to London to undertake his medical today (Thursday).

However, there is no sign that the deal is close to completion just yet.

Rob Dorsett lifted the lid on the current state of affairs, as quoted via Sky Sports transfer centre (January 23rd, 2:26pm):

“The Premier League club remain hopeful of completing the transfer after verbally agreeing a deal earlier this week.

“However, the process of formalising the deal, and Banzuzi undergoing a medical, is currently on hold.“

So why the hold-up?

If we have agreed a fee with the Belgian outfit, Ezechiel Banzuzi should be on his way to West Ham now to undertake his medical right?

Something doesn’t feel right about this one – so many journalists have been spreading mixed messages about the deal.

The latest ‘hold-up’ claim will certainly set tongues wagging amongst the West Ham fans.

I really hope it’s not a case of the Hammers owners changing the goalposts at the last minute.

Banzuzi is the kind of player who would take West Ham to another level entirely, what with his power, pace and athleticism.

It’s so important that we get this one right, it really is.